Abstract
Despite the importance of and current demand for abaca (Musa textilis Nee) fiber, there has been limited study that capitalizes on RNA-seq to identify candidate genes associated with high fiber quality and bunchy top virus (AbBTV) resistance. Three varieties (Abuab, Inosa, and Tangongon), one wild banana variety (Musa balbisiana Colla) Pacol, and two developed backcrosses (Abuab × Pacol BC2 and BC3) were grown at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), Laguna, Philippines. The pseudostems of 3-month-old suckers of each genotype were sampled for RNA-seq. Datasets were analyzed for differential expression (DE) implementing various model frameworks, including pairwise, genotypic and non-DE models. Results indicate that Abuab and BC3 induce the highest proportion (70%) of abaca-specific genes. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed several genes associated with cellulose synthase activity, callose synthase, ß-glucosidase activity, glucan biosynthetic process, etc. KEGG pathway analysis showed several genes encoding for enzymes involved in the lignin biosynthetic pathway. Analysis using genotypic DE (GDE) between abaca bunchy top virus (AbBTV)-resistant and -susceptible groups revealed genes such as pathogenesis-related protein and NBS-LRR. As the genotypes were not infected with the pathogen, these genes are yet to be confirmed for their roles in disease resistance and are an interesting subject for further investigation.
Highlights
Abaca (Musa textilis (L.) Nee), known internationally as Manila hemp, a close relative of banana (Musa sp.), is a leaf fiber, composed of long slim cells that form part of the leaf sheath
Using various models of differential expression, we aimed to identify differentially expressed genes associated with fiber quality and abaca bunchy top virus (AbBTV) resistance
Since abaca varieties are mostly made up of cellulose and hemicellulose [48], as reviewed in [49], we identified genes associated with polysaccharide synthesis
Summary
Abaca (Musa textilis (L.) Nee), known internationally as Manila hemp, a close relative of banana (Musa sp.), is a leaf fiber, composed of long slim cells that form part of the leaf sheath. 125,000 metric tons [2] due to increasing demand from textile and automobile industries, healthcare systems, etc. This has been compounded by a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the medical sector brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic with orders coming non-stop [2]. Abaca demand is expected to further increase in the few years due to fluctuating COVID-19 cases globally It is a sought-after material in the healthcare industry because of its high medical grade. Abaca is a raw material used to make ropes, fishing lines, currency notes, textile fiber, paper products including tea and coffee bags, among hundreds of other end-products
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