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Comparative transcriptome profiling and co-expression network analysis reveals important genes regulating maize
Jialong Liu1, Kailai Wang2, Nan Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of Education Ministry, Hebei Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, 071001, China.
BMC Plant Biology
|July 10, 2025
Summary
Southern corn rust (SCR) threatens maize production. This study identified key genes and pathways involved in maize resistance to southern corn rust, offering targets for breeding disease-resistant crops.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Southern corn rust (SCR), caused by Puccinia polysora, is a major threat to global maize (Zea mays L.) production.
- Understanding maize's molecular response to SCR is crucial for developing resistant varieties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically explore the molecular mechanisms of maize response to southern corn rust.
- To identify key genes and pathways involved in maize resistance and sensitivity to SCR.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic identification of six maize inbred lines.
- Transcriptome sequencing and differential gene expression analysis.
- Gene Ontology (GO), KEGG enrichment, Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), and quantitative RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Phenotypic analysis revealed differential resistance among maize lines.
- Transcriptome analysis identified numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in defense response, cytoskeleton organization, and hormone signaling.
- WGCNA highlighted modules and genes related to resistance, including cell wall-related genes and ABC transporters.
- ABCG11 and CCR1 genes were found to be continuously up-regulated in resistant lines during early infection stages.
Conclusions:
- This study elucidates the complex molecular mechanisms of maize in response to southern corn rust.
- Identified genes like ABCG11 and CCR1 are potential targets for enhancing maize disease resistance breeding.
