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Title: Developing a systems biology approach to study disease progression caused by Heterodera glycines in Glycine max

Author
item Klink, Vincent
item Matthews, Benjamin

Submitted to: Gene Regulation and Systems Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2007
Publication Date: 4/10/2007
Citation: Klink, V.P., Matthews, B.F. 2007. Developing a systems biology approach to study disease progression caused by Heterodera glycines in Glycine max. Gene Regulation and Systems Biology. 2:1-17.

Interpretive Summary: The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) causes almost one billion dollars in losses to the soybean crop each year in the USA. A better understanding of the resistance and susceptible responses of soybean to nematodes may provide new approaches to developing nematode-resistant soybean. We analyzed infections using the microscope and also examined the expression of over 35,000 soybean genes in roots susceptible and resistant to the soybean cyst nematode using a sophisticated molecular technique called microarray analysis. We identified numerous genes with minor differences in their level of expression at 12 hours, 3 days and 8 days post-infection by the nematode. This information will be useful to scientists working to improve resistance of plants to nematodes using biotechnology and genetic engineering.

Technical Abstract: Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the major pest of soybean and causes an estimated $500 million to $1 billion annually in the U.S. We are taking a systems-level approach to studying and understanding interactions between soybean and the soybean cyst nematode. Histological analysis had shown that SCN enters the root and selects a feeding site in resistant and susceptible soybean. We assayed gene expression in soybean roots during the development of infection by compatible and incompatible races of SCN using microarrays. Also, syncytia were collected by laser capture microdissection and also analyzed using microarrays. These data provide a better understanding of the complex response of plants to nematodes in susceptible and resistant interactions.