26 - Transcriptional regulation by nitric oxide in plant disease resistance

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO), a small, gaseous, redox-active molecule, plays a diverse, key role in physiological functions like growth, development, environmental interactions, defense, stomatal regulation, and senescence. Transcriptional regulation of NO-dependent genes has also been reported under various abiotic stresses and pathogen/insect infestation. Following stress conditions, cellular reactive nitrogen species level increases which results in swift transcriptional reprogramming of nitric oxide signaling. The chapter has been divided into two sections for complete understanding of NO regulatory networks at transcriptional level: (1) in silico transcriptome (RNA-Seq) analysis of NO genes and (2) gene expression studies pertaining to NO signal transduction pathways under various biotic stresses. Transcriptome analysis will encompass transcriptional factors involved in NO signaling, functional annotation, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of NO-dependent genes in plant disease resistance. Besides, gene expression studies include comprehensive knowledge of various NO-dependent genes expressing differentially under biotic stress. In addition, cross-talk of various transcriptional regulatory genes in plant disease resistance has been also discussed. Taken altogether, the chapter is well documented with both in silico transcriptome analysis and experimental recommendations of various NO signal transduction genes contributing to plant disease resistance.