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Dual RNA-Seq Reveals Molecular Interactions Between Alternaria alternata and Cucumis melo During Postharvest
Yujia Bai1,2, Xiangfeng Zheng3, Bin Wu1,2
1Institute of Food Science and Technology, Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Urumqi 830091, China.
Abstract:
Alternaria alternata causes major postharvest losses in melons. This dual RNA-seq study analyzed transcriptomic dynamics in both A. alternata strain A2022 and melon during infection. Genomic analysis revealed two conditionally dispensable chromosomes (CDCs) containing host-specific toxin genes, including a T1PKS cluster for βenone biosynthesis. Fungal transcriptomics identified upregulated virulence pathways: MAPK signaling (18 genes), autophagy (17 genes), and lipid metabolism. Melon mounted a biphasic defense: early lignin deposition via phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (15 genes) and late jasmonic acid/MAPK-mediated responses. Competitive nutrient acquisition emerged, with fungal amino acid transporters opposing host nitrogen metabolism. These findings reveal A. alternata's genomic plasticity and melon's layered resistance, suggesting RNAi-based silencing of CDC virulence genes or breeding for enhanced lignin/jasmonate pathways as sustainable control strategies.
