ARS | Publication request: Genomic Cross Comparison of Soybean Pathogens and the Symbiont Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Submitted to: International Conference on Legume Genomics and Genetics
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 20, 2008
Publication Date: December 7, 2008
Citation: Radwan, O., Calla, B., Clough, S.J. 2008. Genomic Cross Comparison of Soybean Pathogens and the Symbiont Bradyrhizobium japonicum [abstract]. 4th International Conference on Legume Genomics and Genetics, December 7-12, 2008, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 2008 CDROM.

Technical Abstract: Plants are under constant attack from a variety of pathogens and respond with dramatic changes in gene expression. Some well-studied diseases of soybean include those induced by the pathogens Pseudomonas syringae, Fusarium virguliforme, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. To assist in the identification of defense-specific genes, we performed a meta-analysis across microarray data sets involving soybean response to these pathogens, to datasets from soybean inoculated with the symbiont, Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The results suggest that plants employ many similar defenses and signalling components regardless of tissue type and that B. japonicum suppresses many of these defenses. Examples of the type of transcripts that were elevated in all diseased tissues and reduced in roots inoculated with B. rhizobium included: calcium-associated proteins, DNA binding proteins, MAPKs, matrix metalloproteinase’s, P450s, and phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes. Functional analysis of defense and signalling components that are shared, as well as a few which differ during pathogenic and symbiotic interactions, is currently being conducted.