Abstract
Cereal cyst nematode (CCN, Heterodera avenae) presents severe challenges to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production worldwide. An investigation of the interaction between wheat and CCN can greatly improve our understanding of how nematodes alter wheat root metabolic pathways for their development and could contribute to new control strategies against CCN. In this study, we conducted transcriptome analyses of wheat cv. Wen 19 (Wen19) by using RNA-Seq during the compatible interaction with CCN at 1, 3 and 8 days past inoculation (dpi). In total, 71,569 transcripts were identified, and 10,929 of them were examined as differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to CCN infection. Based on the functional annotation and orthologous findings, the protein phosphorylation, oxidation-reduction process, regulation of transcription, metabolic process, transport, and response process as well as many other pathways previously reported were enriched at the transcriptional level. Plant cell wall hydrolysis and modifying proteins, auxin biosynthesis, signalling and transporter genes were up-regulated by CCN infection to facilitate penetration, migration and syncytium establishment. Genes responding to wounding and jasmonic acid stimuli were enriched at 1 dpi. We found 16 NBS-LRR genes, 12 of which were down-regulated, indicating the repression of resistance. The expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, glutathione S-transferases and UDP-glucosyltransferase was significantly up-regulated during CCN infection, indicating that they may play key roles in the compatible interaction of wheat with CCN. Taken together, the results obtained from the transcriptome analyses indicate that the genes involved in oxidation-reduction processes, induction and suppression of resistance, metabolism, transport and syncytium establishment may be involved in the compatible interaction of Wen 19 with CCN. This study provides new insights into the responses of wheat to CCN infection. These insights could facilitate the elucidation of the potential mechanisms of wheat responses to CCN.
Highlights
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most widely grown staple crops, providing a major source of energy and dietary fiber for humans[1]
Analyses of resistant and susceptible host genotypes in response to CCN infection has shown that the resistance does not disturb the penetration stages of CCN but does affect it through the developmental stages; the phospholipases may play a role in defence responses, and there is a strong burst of reactive oxygen species in resistant wheat after infection by CCN6
At the development stage of the feeding site (8 dpi), only 1,251 significant differentiallly expressed genes (DEGs) were found, including 945 up-regulated and 306 down-regulated genes (Table S1), suggesting that the Wen 19 may have a strong reaction during the early infection stages of CCN (1 dpi and 3 dpi) and that the CCN was able to inhibit the wheat responses in the compatible interaction at 8 dpi (Table S1)
Summary
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most widely grown staple crops, providing a major source of energy and dietary fiber for humans[1]. The compatible interaction of Musa acuminata and root-knot nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne incognita) led to early host defence responses including reactive oxygen species and jasmonate/ ethylene plant hormone signalling[15]. The transcriptome response of rice to sedentary endoparasitic RKN and migratory root rot nematode (RRN, Hirschmanniella oryzae) showed that RKN suppress the salicylic acid and ethylene pathways, stimulate host metabolism, and strongly induce the expression of plant development-associated hormones, while the migratory nematode (RRN) induces program cell death and oxidative stress[17]. We applied RNA-Seq technology to investigate the compatible interaction of wheat and CCN at three early time points This approach was used to characterize the differentiallly expressed genes (DEGs) during CCN penetration and to examine the gene response to feeding site establishment and maintenance. Our study provides novel data on comprehensive gene expression profiling of the compatible wheat and CCN interaction, which will be important to reveal the underlying infection mechanism and to effectively manage CCN in the future
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
