Expression profiling of four defense-related buffalograss transcripts in response to chinch bug (Hemiptera: Blissidae) feeding.
Oxidative enzymes are one of many key players in plant tolerance responses and defense signaling pathways. This study evaluated gene expression of four buffalograss transcripts (two peroxidases, a catalase, and a GRAS (gibberellic acid insensitive [GAI], repressor of GAI, and scarecrow) and total peroxidase activity in response to western chinch bug (Blissus occiduus Barber) feeding in susceptible and resistant buffalograsses (Buchloë dactyloides (Nuttall) Engelmann). Basal levels of all four transcripts were consistently higher in the resistant buffalograss when compared with the susceptible genotype, which suggests important physiological differences exist between the two buffalograsses. The four defense-related transcripts also showed differential expression between infested and control plants for both the resistant and susceptible buffalograsses. Differences in total peroxidase activity were also detected between control and infested plants, and basal peroxidase activity was higher in the resistant genotype. Overall, this study indicates that elevated basal levels of specific peroxidases, catalases, and GRAS may be an effective buffalograss defense strategy against chinch bug feeding and other similar biotic stresses.
Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583,USA.
Crystal
C
Ramm
Grain, Forage, and Bioenergy Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA.
Aaron
A
Saathoff
Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583,USA.
Teresa
T
Donze
Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583,USA.
Tiffany
T
Heng-Moss
Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583,USA.
Frederick
F
Baxendale
Department of Biology, University of Nebraska, Kearney, NE 68449, USA.
Paul
P
Twigg
Department of Biology, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA 92110, USA.
Lisa
L
Baird
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA.
Keenan
K
Amundsen
D000818:Animals; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D060434:Herbivory; D020062:Heteroptera / Q000502:physiology*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006109:Poaceae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011897:Random Allocation; D013045:Species Specificity; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D010940:Plant Proteins; D009195:Peroxidase