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Title: Meta-analysis of transcripts associated with race-specific resistance to stripe rust in wheat demonstrates common induction of blue copper-binding protein, heat-stress transcription factor, ... synthase transcripts

Author
item Coram, Tristan
item HUANG, XUELING - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV
item ZHAN, GANGMING - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV
item SETTLES, MATTHEW - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV
item Chen, Xianming

Submitted to: Functional and Integrative Genomics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/7/2009
Publication Date: 7/23/2010
Citation: Coram, T., Huang, X., Zhan, G., Settles, M.L., Chen, X. 2010. Meta-analysis of transcripts associated with race-specific resistance to stripe rust in wheat demonstrates common induction of blue copper-binding protein, heat-stress transcription factor, ... synthase transcripts. Functional and Integrative Genomics 10:383-392.

Interpretive Summary: Resistance to stripe rust in wheat is a preferred method of disease prevention. Race-specific all-stage resistance (also known as seedling resistance) usually provides complete protection. However, this type of resistance is generally not durable. Thus, an understanding of the molecular control of race-specific resistance is important. To build on previous studies of race-specific resistance controlled by a single gene known as Yr5, this study reports the construction and use of a custom focused oligonucleotide microarray to perform a meta-analysis of the transcriptional response involved in race-specific resistance conferred by eight genes. By profiling the response of the eight resistance genes in a common background genome, we identified 28 expressd genes as significantly involved in the race-specific resistance phenotype across all genotypes. Unique defense-related expressed genes significant in each resistant genotype were also identified, which highlighted some gene expression events specific to certain resistant genotypes. The meta-analysis approach was effective in narrowing down the list of candidate genes in comparison to studying individual genotypes. Annotation of the expressed genes revealed key events and defense pathways involved in race-specific resistance. The results confirm the activity of known resistance gene mediated biochemical pathways in the race-specific resistance response. However, several identified expressed genes remained unknown for their functions and may prove interesting candidates for further characterization. These findings enriched our knowledge of molecular mechanisms of wheat resistance to stripe rust.

Technical Abstract: Resistance to stripe rust in wheat is a preferred method of disease prevention. Race-specific all-stage resistance usually provides complete protection; thus an understanding of the molecular control of race-specific resistance is important. To build on previous studies of race-specific resistance controlled by the Yr5 gene, this study reports the construction and use of a custom oligonucleotide microarray to perform a meta-analysis of the transcriptional response involved in race-specific resistance conferred by Yr1, Yr5, Yr7, Yr8, Yr9, Yr10, Yr15, and Yr17. By profiling the response of eight resistance genes in a common background, we identified 28 transcripts significantly involved in the resistance phenotype across all genotypes. The most significant of these were annotated as blue copper-binding protein, heat-stress transcription factor, pathogen-induced WIR1A protein, and ent-kaurene synthase transcripts. Unique transcripts significant in each genotype were also identified, which highlighted some transcriptional events specific to certain genotypes. The approach was effective in narrowing down the list of candidate genes in comparison to studying individual genotypes. Annotation revealed key gene expression events involved in racespecific resistance. The results confirm the activity of known R-gene-mediated pathway race-specific resistance, including an oxidative burst that likely contributes to a hypersensitive response, as well as pathogenesis-related protein expression and activity of the phenylpropanoid pathway. However, several identified transcripts remained unknown and may prove interesting candidates for further characterization.