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Title: IDENTIFYING DISEASE RESISTANCE GENES AND PATHWAYS THROUGH HOST-PATHOGEN PROTEIN INTERACTIONS

Author
item Cheng, Hans
item Liu, Hsiao Ching

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/11/2003
Publication Date: 1/12/2003
Citation: Cheng, H.H., Liu, H. 2003. Identifying disease resistance genes and pathways through host-pathogen protein interactions [abstract]. Plant and Animal Genome Conference Proceedings. p. 40.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A major objective of both animal and plant genomics research is to identify disease resistance genes and pathways. Popular approaches to achieve this goal include candidate gene testing, genome-wide QTL screens, and DNA microarrays. We argue that the two-hybrid assay, which detects protein-protein interactions, is another powerful technique. Specifically, pathogen genes are used as bait to screen host cDNA libraries to reveal proteins that may be involved in initiating or advancing the host response to infection. Genes that encode proteins that interact can be tested further for a genetic basis (e.g., association tests) or molecularly characterization (e.g., expression). In essence, two-hybrid screens using pathogen proteins as bait reveal host proteins that have at least one known function, provide clues on how the host responds, and allow for an unbiased selection of host candidate genes for additional testing or characterization. Results will be presented from our studies using the bacterial two-hybrid assay on the Marek's disease virus (an oncogenic herpesvirus) and chicken, as well as how we integrate this method with QTL and DNA microarrays.