Sugarcane genes differentially expressed in response to Puccinia melanocephala infection: identification and transcript profiling

Abstract

Brown rust caused by the fungus Puccinia melanocephala is a major disease of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). A sugarcane mutant, obtained by chemical mutagenesis of the susceptible variety B4362, showed a post-haustorial hypersensitive response (HR)-mediated resistance to the pathogen and was used to identify genes differentially expressed in response to P. melanocephala via suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Tester cDNA was derived from the brown rust-resistant mutant after inoculation with P. melanocephala, while driver cDNAs were obtained from the non-inoculated resistant mutant and the inoculated susceptible donor variety B4362. Database comparisons of the sequences of the SSH recombinant clones revealed that, of a subset of 89 non-redundant sequences, 88% had similarity to known functional genes, while 12% were of unknown function. Thirteen genes were selected for transcript profiling in the resistant mutant and the susceptible donor variety. Genes involved in glycolysis and C4 carbon fixation were up-regulated in both interactions probably due to disturbance of sugarcane carbon metabolism by the pathogen. Genes related with the nascent polypeptide associated complex, post-translational proteome modulation and autophagy were transcribed at higher levels in the compatible interaction. Up-regulation of a putative L-isoaspartyl O-methyltransferase S-adenosylmethionine gene in the compatible interaction may point to fungal manipulation of the cytoplasmatic methionine cycle. Genes coding for a putative no apical meristem protein, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, non-specific lipid transfer protein, and GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase involved in ascorbic acid biosynthesis were up-regulated in the incompatible interaction at the onset of haustorium formation, and may contribute to the HR-mediated defense response in the rust-resistant mutant.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Sugarcane During Pathogenesis of Colletotrichum falcatum by Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH)

“…Clathrin and secretory carrier protein involved in membrane trafficking was upregulated in the interaction between sugarcane and Puccinia melanocephala by Oloriz et al (2012). The upregulation of membrane trafficking transcripts nearly coincides with our present understanding on HR-mediated PCD, as a part of defense response in the red rot resistant sugarcane cultivar.…”

Plant lipid transfer proteins: Evolution, expression and function

“…The knockout mutant of DIR1 was shown to lack the ability to develop SAR in response to infection by Pseudomonas syringae and Peronospora parasitica. In agreement to this, several nsLTPs have been shown to be upregulated when exposed to biotic stresses, including the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris in cauliflower, the fungus Puccinia melanocephala in sugarcane and a tobacco mosaic virus in pepper (Park et al, 2002;Jiang et al, 2011;Oloriz et al, 2012). Further, some nsLTP have been shown to have antibiotic, antiviral or antifungal properties in vitro, supporting a role in defense against microorganisms (Molina et al, 1993;Nielsen et al, 1996;Wang et al, 2004;Ooi et al, 2008).…”

Understanding sugarcane defence responses during the initial phase of Colletotrichum falcatum pathogenesis by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH)

“…ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs) recruit coat proteins (COP), the heptameric coatomer protein complex (constituting a, b, b, g, d, ε, z subunits of COP) to proteins and anti-microbial compounds containing vesicles for transport [45]. The secretory proteins are also involved in conferring defense to sugarcane tissues infected by Puccinina melanocephala [46]. Polyphosphoinositides control the activity of ion transporters and channels during vesicle trafficking [47].…”