Identifying Virulence-Associated Genes Using Transcriptomic and Proteomic Association Analyses of the Plant Parasitic Nematode Bursaphelenchus mucronatus.
Bursaphelenchus mucronatus (B. mucronatus) isolates that originate from different regions may vary in their virulence, but their virulence-associated genes and proteins are poorly understood. Thus, we conducted an integrated study coupling RNA-Seq and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) to analyse transcriptomic and proteomic data of highly and weakly virulent B. mucronatus isolates during the pathogenic processes. Approximately 40,000 annotated unigenes and 5000 proteins were gained from the isolates. When we matched all of the proteins with their detected transcripts, a low correlation coefficient of r = 0.138 was found, indicating probable post-transcriptional gene regulation involved in the pathogenic processes. A functional analysis showed that five differentially expressed proteins which were all highly expressed in the highly virulent isolate were involved in the pathogenic processes of nematodes. Peroxiredoxin, fatty acid- and retinol-binding protein, and glutathione peroxidase relate to resistance against plant defence responses, while β-1,4-endoglucanase and expansin are associated with the breakdown of plant cell walls. Thus, the pathogenesis of B. mucronatus depends on its successful survival in host plants. Our work adds to the understanding of B. mucronatus' pathogenesis, and will aid in controlling B. mucronatus and other pinewood nematode species complexes in the future.
Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. lf.zhou@njfu.edu.cn.|Institute of Forest Protection, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. lf.zhou@njfu.edu.cn.
Lifeng
L
Zhou
Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. cfengmao@njfu.edu.cn.|Institute of Forest Protection, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. cfengmao@njfu.edu.cn.
Fengmao
F
Chen
General Station of Forest Pest Management, The State Forestry Administration, Shenyang 110034, China. hongyangpan@163.com.
Hongyang
H
Pan
Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. jrye@njfu.edu.cn.|Institute of Forest Protection, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. jrye@njfu.edu.cn.
Jianren
J
Ye
Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. 15077876285@163.com.|Institute of Forest Protection, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. 15077876285@163.com.
Xuejiao
X
Dong
Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. m15150581224@163.com.|Institute of Forest Protection, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. m15150581224@163.com.
Chunyan
C
Li
Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. 15751865019@163.com.|Institute of Forest Protection, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. 15751865019@163.com.
Fengling
F
Lin
D000818:Animals; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D063990:Gene Ontology; D017238:Genes, Helminth / Q000235:genetics*; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D028223:Pinus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D020543:Proteome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D034622:RNA Interference; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D017187:Tylenchida / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D015801:Helminth Proteins; D020543:Proteome
Bursaphelenchus mucronatus; proteomic; transcriptomic; virulence-associated gene