Expressions of autophagy-associated ATG genes in response to fusarium wilt infection in banana

Abstract

Host and pathogens have to cope with different types of environmental stresses during their developmental processes. Autophagy regulates programmed cell death as a response to pathogen infection and is emerging as key a defense module in host-pathogen interactions. The current study focuses on the differential pattern of expression of autophagy (ATG) genes in two contrasting banana genotypes, upon infection with fungal pathogen Fusarium Oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc1). The expression analyses of twelve ATG genes responding to biotic stress were investigated in the contrasting genotypes “Calcutta-4” (tolerant) and “Kadali” (susceptible). All the 12 ATG genes were upregulated in both contrasting genotypes, upon disease progression. After Foc1 infection, it was observed that the susceptible genotype “Kadali” showed an enhanced expression at 3dpi, in comparison to the tolerant genotype. An increased and sustained expression of ATG genes in tolerant genotype “Calcutta-4” at 10dpi was also observed suggesting accelerated defense response, under Foc1 infection, indicating an important role of autophagy in disease tolerance to regulate programmed cell death which is a key component of plant immunity response. The present survey suggests that both increased and sustained higher expression of ATG genes during disease progression, imparts tolerance to Foc1 in banana.