Transcriptome and Proteome-Based Network Analysis Reveals a Model of Gene Activation in Wheat Resistance to Stripe Rust.

Hong Zhang,Ying Fu,Wanquan Ji,Huan Guo,Zhaogui Yan,Yajuan Wang,Lu Zhang,Changyou Wang,Weining Song

doi:10.3390/ijms20051106

Abstract

Stripe rust, caused by the pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is an important fungal foliar disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum). To study the mechanism underlying the defense of wheat to Pst, we used the next-generation sequencing and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technologies to generate transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of seedling leaves at different stages under conditions of pathogen stress. By conducting comparative proteomic analysis using iTRAQ, we identified 2050, 2190, and 2258 differentially accumulated protein species at 24, 48, and 72 h post-inoculation (hpi). Using pairwise comparisons and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of the transcriptome, we identified a stress stage-specific module enriching in transcription regulator genes. The homologs of several regulators, including splicing and transcription factors, were similarly identified as hub genes operating in the Pst-induced response network. Moreover, the Hsp70 protein were predicted as a key point in protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks from STRING database. Taking the genetics resistance gene locus into consideration, we identified 32 induced proteins in chromosome 1BS as potential candidates involved in Pst resistance. This study indicated that the transcriptional regulation model plays an important role in activating resistance-related genes in wheat responding to Pst stress.

Highlights

Stripe rust, caused by the pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is an important fungal foliar disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) found in many areas of the world
A total of 373,661 mass spectra were generated from isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) analysis of Pst-inoculated N9134 leavesA. tTohtael orafw373m,6a6s1smdaastsaspfielecstrawwereeredgeepnoesraitteedd firnomthieTRPAepQtidaneaAlytlsais odfaPtastb-iansoec: uPlaAteSdS0N0919394. lAeaftveers. eTxhcelurdaiwngmlaosws-dscaotarinfiglesspweecrterad, e4p6o,s1i7te4duiniqthueePseppeticdtreaAttlhaastdmatabtcahsed: PtAoSSsp00e9ci9f9ic
We reveal the immense complexity of the mechanisms underlying the responses of wheat to fungal stress

Summary

Introduction

Stripe rust, caused by the pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is an important fungal foliar disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) found in many areas of the world. Different techniques have been used to control the disease, the use of stripe rust-resistant varieties is the safest, most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly approach. The greatest challenge facing wheat crop breeders is the ability of pathogens to overcome specific resistance due to the narrowing genetic diversity of the germplasm and rapid variation in the stripe rust pathogen [2,3] Dissecting the disease-resistance mechanism in search of the resistant (R) genes in wheat has become a focus of research. Numerous comprehensive analyses of stress-induced gene expression in model plants with small genomes have led to the identification of many genes associated with responses to pathogenic stress. The use of classical genetic techniques to isolate R genes in wheat has met with limited success due to the hexaploid nature of the wheat genome, which is larger and more complex than that of model plants. The mechanism underlying wheat resistance activation in response to Pst remains to be fully elucidated

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Discussion

Conclusion