Abstract
Susceptible and resistant germplasm respond differently to pathogenic attack, including virus infections. We compared the transcriptome changes between a resistant wheat cultivar, Sonalika, and a susceptible cultivar, WL711, to understand this process in wheat against wheat dwarf India virus (WDIV) infection. A total of 2760 and 1853 genes were differentially expressed in virus-infected and mock-inoculated Sonalika, respectively, compared to WL711. The overrepresentation of genes involved in signaling, hormone metabolism, enzymes, secondary metabolites, proteolysis, and transcription factors was documented, including the overexpression of multiple PR proteins. We hypothesize that the virus resistance in Sonalika is likely due to strong intracellular surveillance via the action of multiple PR proteins (PR1, RAR1, and RPM1) and ChiB. Other genes such as PIP1, LIP1, DnaJ, defensins, oxalate oxidase, ankyrin repeat protein, serine-threonine kinase, SR proteins, beta-1,3-glucanases, and O-methyltransferases had a significant differential expression and play roles in stress tolerance, may also be contributing towards the virus resistance in Sonalika. In addition, we identified putative genes with unknown functions, which are only expressed in response to WDIV infection in Sonalika. The role of these genes could be further validated and utilized in engineering resistance in wheat and other crops.
Highlights
Geminiviruses are a large and important family of plant viruses that infect a wide variety of crops worldwide and have been divided into nine genera (Becurtovirus, Begomovirus, Capulavirus, Curtovirus, Eragrovirus, Grablovirus, Mastrevirus, Topocuvirus, and Turncurtovirus) [1]
Studies have been performed to characterize the transcriptional responses of host plants to a geminivirus [2,3,4,5,6], but only a few have explored the transcriptome response of a resistant host plant [7,8]
The expression heat map of DEGs revealed elevated transcription of several genes belonging to abiotic and biotic stress, enzymes, hormones, protein synthesis, and degradation in Sonalika_V vs. WL711_V (Figure 5) that might play a role in virus resistance
Summary
Geminiviruses are a large and important family of plant viruses that infect a wide variety of crops worldwide and have been divided into nine genera (Becurtovirus, Begomovirus, Capulavirus, Curtovirus, Eragrovirus, Grablovirus, Mastrevirus, Topocuvirus, and Turncurtovirus) [1]. Viral infection triggers a complex interaction between the virus and the host leading to the reprogramming of various physiological and metabolic processes, including gene expression [12]. Understanding host responses in terms of reprogramming of the gene expression during viral infection can help in developing strategies for virus control [7,13,14]. Plants under different abiotic and biotic stresses [15,16], including studies that explore the response of host plants to a geminivirus infection [2,5,17]. A wheat cultivar, WL711, appeared to be very sensitive to WDIV infection, showing severe symptoms. We carried out a comparative transcriptome analysis of resistant vs sensitive cultivars upon WDIV infection
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
