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Obtaining High-Quality Transcriptome Data from Cereal Seeds by a Modified Method for Gene Expression Profiling
Published on: May 21, 2020
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Temporal transcriptomic profiling elucidates sorghum defense mechanisms against sugarcane aphids
Heena Puri1, Sajjan Grover1, Lise Pingault1
1Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA.
BMC Genomics
|August 5, 2023
Summary
Sorghum plants resistant to sugarcane aphid (SCA) activate defense genes rapidly. This study identifies key genes involved in SCA resistance, aiding in developing better crop protection strategies against this damaging aphid pest.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Entomology
- Genomics
Background:
- Sugarcane aphid (SCA) is a major sorghum pest in the US, causing significant damage by feeding on phloem.
- Sorghum lines exhibit varied resistance to SCA, with differential reproduction rates observed.
- Identifying defense-related genes in sorghum is crucial for understanding and enhancing resistance to SCA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify defense-related genes conferring resistance to sugarcane aphid (SCA) in sorghum.
- To analyze transcriptomic responses to SCA infestation at early and late time points.
- To compare gene expression patterns between resistant and susceptible sorghum lines.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing was employed to profile global transcriptomic responses.
- Sorghum lines (RTx430, SC265, SC1345) were infested with SCA.
- Gene expression was analyzed at early (6, 24, 48 hpi) and late (7 dpi) time points.
Main Results:
- SCA-resistant sorghum lines showed significantly higher upregulation of defense genes compared to susceptible lines.
- Co-expression network analysis revealed modulation of phenylpropanoid pathways, oxidoreductase activity, phytohormones, and cell wall genes.
- Key genes upregulated in resistant lines include LRR proteins, ethylene response factors, and pathogenesis-related proteins.
Conclusions:
- SCA-resistant sorghum activates early defense signaling rapidly, involving monolignol biosynthesis and phytohormone pathways.
- Enhanced understanding of sorghum defense mechanisms against aphid herbivory is provided.
- Findings can inform strategies for developing SCA-resistant sorghum varieties.
