Variation in Gene Expression between Two Sorghum bicolor Lines Differing in Innate Immunity Response

Area of Science:

• Plant immunity
• Plant-pathogen interactions
• Sorghum bicolor genetics

Background:

• Microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) triggered immunity (MTI) is crucial for plant innate immunity.
• Current MTI knowledge primarily stems from model plants, with limited research in crop species like sorghum.
• Understanding MTI in sorghum is vital for improving crop disease resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate MAMP-triggered oxidative burst (ROS) and transcriptional responses in two contrasting sorghum genotypes (BTx623 and SC155-14E).
• To identify variations in MTI pathways between a disease-susceptible and a disease-resistant sorghum line.
• To establish a foundation for future research into sorghum innate immunity.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of gene expression and ROS production in response to flagellin (flg22) and chitin elicitation.
• Transcriptional profiling of two sorghum bicolor genotypes (BTx623 and SC155-14E) upon MAMP treatment.
• Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs).

Main Results:

• Significant variations in gene expression and ROS production were observed between BTx623 and SC155-14E in response to MAMPs.
• A core set of sorghum genes associated with MAMP-triggered transcriptional response was identified.
• MAMP-treated SC155-14E samples showed a higher number of immunity and pathogen resistance-related DEGs compared to BTx623.

Conclusions:

• Sorghum bicolor exhibits genotype-specific MTI responses, highlighting genetic variation in innate immunity.
• The study defines a core transcriptional signature for MTI in sorghum.
• These findings provide a crucial baseline for enhancing disease resistance in sorghum through innate immunity pathway investigation.