Gene Expression of Different Wheat Genotypes During Attack by Virulent and Avirulent Hessian Fly (Mayetiola destructor) Larvae

Abstract

Wheat and its relatives possess a number of resistance (R) genes specific for the Hessian fly (HF) [Mayetiola destructor (Say)]. HF populations overcome R gene resistance by evolving virulence. Virulent HF larvae manipulate the plant to produce a nutritionally enhanced feeding tissue and, probably, also suppress plant defense responses. Using two wheat R genes, H9 and H13, and three HF strains (biotypes) differing in virulence for H9 and H13, we conducted a genome-wide transcriptional analysis of gene expression during compatible interactions with virulent larvae and incompatible interactions with avirulent larvae. During both types of interactions, a large number of genes (>1,000) showed alterations in gene expression. Analysis of genes with known functions revealed that major targets for differential regulation were genes that encoded defense proteins or enzymes involved in the phenylpropanoid, cell wall, and lipid metabolism pathways. A combination of the enhancement of antibiosis defense, the evasion of nutrient metabolism induction, and the fortification and expansion of the cell wall are likely the collective mechanism for host-plant resistance observed during incompatible interactions. To overcome this resistance, virulent larvae appeared to suppress antibiosis defense while inducing nutrient metabolism, weakening cell wall, and inhibiting plant growth.

Transcriptomics of induced defense responses to greenbug aphid feeding in near isogenic wheat lines

“…6E). Previous transcriptomic studies have reported that cellulose synthase and other cell-wall modification genes were altered after sensing phloem feeding herbivores [65,[78][79][80] and hormones JA and SA [81]. Our data identified three cell wall degradation related transcripts that are putatively associated with polygalacturonase (pectinases) altered within 24 and 48 hai (Fig.…”

Plant development reprogramming by cynipid gall wasp: proteomic analysis

“…The SSPs likely act in plant-insect interactions and might be valid regulators of gall development (Zhang et al 2010). A gall insect can restrain plant growth, reprogram plant gene transcription, and stimulate nutritive tissues (Anderson and Harris 2006;Harris et al 2006;Liu et al 2007).…”

Reactive Oxygen Species Are Involved in Plant Defense against a Gall Midge

“…ROS are likely involved in plant defense against other galling insects, because plant hypersensitive symptoms have been observed during these interactions (Chen, 2008). In addition to ROS, other likely defense chemicals reported in the literature include lectins (Subramanyam et al, 2006), inhibitors of digestive enzymes (Wu et al, 2008), and secondary metabolites (Liu et al, 2007). A combination of toxic defense chemicals accumulated at the attack site is the likely cause for the death of Hessian fly larvae within resistant plants.…”

“…An increase in levels of transcripts and, in some cases, encoded proteins of many defense-related genes such as those encoding digestive enzyme inhibitors (Wu et al, 2008), lectins (Williams et al, 2002;Subramanyam et al, 2006Subramanyam et al, , 2008Giovanini et al, 2007), and enzymes for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (Liu et al, 2007) indicates that a combination of defense chemicals may be involved in resistance to Hessian fly. During compatible interactions (wheat infested with virulent larvae), susceptible plants are manipulated by Hessian fly larvae, including the suppression of plant defense Saltzmann et al, 2010) and the reprogramming of plant metabolic pathways to create a nutrition zone for larval development (Puthoff et al, 2005;Harris et al, 2006;Liu et al, 2007;Saltzmann et al, 2008;Zhu et al, 2008). The manipulation of plants by Hessian fly larvae is likely achieved through salivary secretions (Chen et al, 2004, which may also trigger plant defense if recognized by the plant surveillance system (Garcia-Brugger et al, 2006).…”