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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Soybean Genomics & Improvement Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #267264
Title: Proteomic analysis of soybean cyst nematode

Author
item Natarajan, Savithiry - Savi
item Matthews, Benjamin

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Protection Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2011
Publication Date: 8/1/2011
Citation: Natarajan, S.S., Matthews, B.F. 2011. Proteomic analysis of soybean cyst nematode. Journal of Plant Protection Research. 2(2):77-79.

Interpretive Summary: The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the most devastating pest of soybean in the United States. To improve soybean yields by increasing the level of plant resistance, it is important to understand the protein composition in the SCN. To do this, we are using a “proteomics” approach in which SCN proteins are separated and further identified using a device called a mass spectrometer. The proteins identified by this approach included Actin1, myosin regulatory light chain, arginine kinase, and calreticulin, all of which are involved in different metabolic processes. The results of this study will be useful to scientists who wish to develop nematode resistant soybeans.

Technical Abstract: Soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines, SCN) is the most destructive pathogen of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) worldwide causing an estimated $2 billion in losses annually. Proteomic technologies are powerful tools to examine protein expression profiles as well as modification of proteins. We adapted these tools to investigate pathogenesis of SCN. We investigated and optimized protein extraction protocols and resolved several SCN proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Protein spots obtained from the phenol method were subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) or liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Identified proteins were characterized by their function and the most abundant were associated with metabolic processes, developmental processes and biological regulation processes. As a continuation of this project, we are also investigating differentially regulated proteins of infected root among resistant and susceptible soybeans. This information will help us to have a greater ability to identify the pathogen, understand its biology, host-pathogen interactions, and ultimately, to develop new sources of resistance through genetic engineering and plant breeding techniques.