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Updated: May 16, 2025
Bioassays for Monitoring Insecticide Resistance
Published on: December 30, 2010
Insect Resistance in Quercus robur: A Comparative Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of Normal and Curly Leaf
Ke-Yu Liao1, Rui-Quan Wang1, Hao Li1
1National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
Leaf curling in Quercus robur (Qr-T) varieties reduces insect resistance by lowering key defensive compounds and suppressing defense-related gene expression. This trait may negatively impact plant-insect interactions in agroforestry.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Ecology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Quercus robur (English oak) acorns are nutritious.
- Leaf rolling is a stress adaptation in Q. robur, but its effect on insect interactions is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of leaf curling on insect resistance in Quercus robur.
- To compare the resistance phenotypes, metabolomic profiles, and transcriptomic data of curly-leaf (Qr-T) and normal-leaf (Qr-S) Q. robur varieties.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of resistance phenotypes under herbivory.
- Metabolomic profiling to identify defensive compounds.
- Transcriptomic analysis to study gene expression patterns.
- Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses.
- Coexpression network analysis of defense-related genes and transcription factors.
Main Results:
- Curly-leaf (Qr-T) Q. robur showed increased leaf area consumption by herbivores.
- Qr-T exhibited lower levels of defensive compounds (Questiomycin A, Caffeine, Indoleacrylic acid).
- Transcriptomics revealed up-regulated developmental genes and down-regulated defense genes in Qr-T.
- Defense responses and isoflavonoid biosynthesis were suppressed in Qr-T.
- Coexpression networks showed coordinated down-regulation of defense genes (e.g., CYP81Q32, CYP94A5) and transcription factors (e.g., WRKY6, WRKY53) in Qr-T.
Conclusions:
- Leaf curling in Quercus robur may compromise its insect resistance.
- This trait potentially weakens plant-insect interactions.
- Findings offer insights for enhancing plant resistance in agroforestry systems.
