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Updated: May 14, 2026
10:58
Plant Promoter Analysis: Identification and Characterization of Root Nodule Specific Promoter in the Common Bean
Published on: December 23, 2017
Host-Botrytis co-transcriptomics reveals finely tuned interactions with closely related legumes
Anna Jo Muhich1, Ritu Singh1, Cloe Tom1
1Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
G3 (Bethesda, Md.)
|May 12, 2026
Summary
Generalist pathogens like Botrytis cinerea adapt to diverse plants through significant gene expression plasticity. This molecular flexibility in both pathogen and host plants allows for similar disease outcomes despite genetic differences.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Molecular biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Generalist pathogens infect multiple plant species, but host-specific interactions remain unclear.
- Understanding host-pathogen molecular dynamics is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate molecular interactions between the generalist pathogen Botrytis cinerea and two closely related legume hosts: common bean and cowpea.
- To analyze host and pathogen gene expression plasticity during infection.
Main Methods:
- Co-transcriptomic analysis of Botrytis cinerea and legume hosts (common bean, cowpea).
- Quantification of lesion development and gene expression profiling across 72 diverse Botrytis isolates.
- Co-expression network analysis to identify gene regulatory changes.
Main Results:
- Lesion development was primarily driven by pathogen genetics, but transcriptomic responses showed significant host x isolate interactions.
- Extensive transcriptional plasticity in both host and pathogen contributed to similar disease phenotypes.
- Host-specific Botrytis genes involved in virulence, including cell wall-modifying enzymes, showed high responsiveness.
- Legume hosts displayed isolate-dependent transcriptional reprogramming, with two-thirds of expressed genes responding to pathogen diversity.
- Conserved defense pathways were activated in both hosts, but specific gene networks exhibited lineage-specific rewiring.
Conclusions:
- Generalist pathogen success relies on pervasive gene expression plasticity in both hosts and pathogens.
- Molecular adaptability allows for consistent disease outcomes despite divergent genetic backgrounds.
- Understanding these plastic responses is key to developing effective disease control strategies.
Keywords:
Fungal 2026comparative co-transcriptomicslegumesnecrotrophic fungal pathogenesisnetwork biologytranscriptional plasticityMore Related Videos
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