Transcriptomic profiling reveals Neofabraea vagabunda infection-induced changes in susceptible and resistant apples during storage
Bull's eye rot is one of the most severe diseases that may affect apples during storage. It is caused by the fungus Neofabraea vagabunda, and the mechanism by which the pathogen infects the fruits is only partially understood. In particular, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating the interaction between the pathogen and the host during symptoms development. Despite different apple cultivars show different levels of resistance to the pathogen, the genetic basis of these responses are unknown.  In order to understand the molecular mechanisms occurring in the apple fruit during N. vagabunda infection, a large-scale transcriptome study by RNA-Seq analysis was performed, comparing fruits of the sensitive 'Roho' cultivar and the resistant cultivar 'Ariane' after artificial infection with N. vagabunda and a storage period of 4 months.