Poster: Plant Insect/Nematode Interactions
Abs #
683: Microarrays as a tool for monitoring changes in gene expression in root-knot nematode infected chile root.
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Presenter: |
Potenza, Carol L, cpotenza@nmsu.edu |
Authors | Potenza, Carol L (A) O'Connell, Mary (A) Fuchs, Jacki (A) Thomas, Stephen (A) Sengupta-Gopalan, Champa (A) | | Affiliations: |
(A): New Mexico State University
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Meloidogyne incognita (southern root-knot nematode-RKN) is the primary nematode pest in the southwestern United States. It is a serious pest on chile grown in this region. RKN infection leads to fruit yield reductions of up to 40% when left uncontrolled. RKN invades the roots of susceptible chile and establishes a feeding site by transforming normal root cells into multi-nucleate giant cells. These cells become a sink for plant nutrients that the nematode uses for food. Because the chile roots undergo extensive remodeling with nematode infection, there has been interest in identifying the plant genes that respond to nematode infection and that are used to establish the feeding site. We have used chile root microarrays as a first step to help us identify chile root genes with altered expression due to RKN J2 infection at 120 hours post-inoculation, which corresponds to slightly before and during giant cell initiation in chile. A survey of genes with modified expression identified in an RKN susceptible cultivar includes: pathogenesis related proteins, transcription factors, protein kinases, RNA binding proteins, sugar transport genes, and genes involved in water movement. Many of the modified genes fall into categories associated with RKN infection. Arrays have also been probed with RNA from chile cultivars that vary in their resistance to RKN infection. We have used CM334, (moderately resistant to false root-knot nematode), and Carolina Cayenne (resistant to RKN). Comparison of the gene responses between cultivars will help determine which genes are involved in RKN-specific versus general defense responses. Northern analysis and quantitative RT-PCR have been selected to confirm the response of specific genes to nematode infection. USDA CSREES 2002-34387-11941
