Developmental and metabolic processes impacted in Aspergillus flavus during maize kernel infection under various environmental conditions

Authors: Gilbert, Matthew; Mack, Brian; MEDINA, ANGEL - Cranfield University; GARCIA-CELA, ESTER - Cranfield University; MAGAN, NARESH - Cranfield University; Bhatnagar, Deepak

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/21/2018
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic fungus that can infect maize and other crops of agricultural importance. This fungus survives in soil and upon infecting crops has the potential to produce carcinogenic mycotoxins such as aflatoxin. Predicted changes in global temperatures, precipitation patterns and carbon dioxide levels are expected to impact the growth, virulence, and production of secondary metabolites in A. flavus. Here we report the results of transcriptomic, metabolic, and developmental analysis of A. flavus after various temperature, water activity, and carbon dioxide treatments during the maize-fungus interaction. RNA-sequencing of maize-fungus samples, incubated in situ and collected at several time points, were exposed to combinations of these environmental variables. MS-HPLC analysis was also conducted to identify the impact on the metabolome. Analysis of this data includes the computational determination of gene networks involved in the maize-host interaction, and how these networks shift under environmental stressors. Special emphasis is placed on the role carbon dioxide levels have in mediating the response to water activity levels and temperature.