ARS | Publication request: A public platform for the verification of the phenotypic effect of candidate genes for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation and Aspergillus flavus infection in maize

Submitted to: Toxins
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 15, 2011
Publication Date: August 1, 2011
Citation: Warburton, M.L., Williams, W.P., Hawkins, L., Bridges, S., Gresham, C., Harper, J., Ozkan, S., Mylroie, J.E., Shan, X. 2011. A public platform for the verification of the phenotypic effect of candidate genes for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation and Aspergillus flavus infection in maize. Toxins. 3:754-765.

Interpretive Summary: Many publications present genes that are thought to help reduce Many publications present genes that are thought to help reduce levels of aflatoxin or Aspergillus flavus in maize. However, these genes have not been independently validated, and the size of the effect on the trait is unknown. It is very important to be sure of these things before using the candidate genes in a field breeding program aimed at reducing aflatoxin and A. flavus. Therefore, we have set up a method to efficiently test any maize gene for its effect on this trait. The method includes a database of all published literature on candidate genes for aflatoxin and A. flavus reduction; a sequencing methodology to find changes in the candidate gene between different lines of maize; and five populations of maize that can be directly compared for these changes in order to measure their effect on the trait. Ten genes have been identified as possible candidate genes and put through the candidate gene testing pipeline, and results are presented here.

Technical Abstract: A public candidate gene testing pipeline for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation or Aspergillus flavus infection in maize is presented here. The pipeline consists of steps for identifying, testing, and verifying the association of any maize gene sequence with resistance under field conditions. Resources include a database of genetic and protein sequences associated with the reduction in aflatoxin contamination from previous studies; eight diverse inbred maize lines for SNP identification within any maize gene sequence; four QTL mapping populations and one association mapping panel (all phenotyped for aflatoxin accumulation resistance and associated phenotypes); and capacity for SSR and SNP genotyping in the population(s) for mapping. Ten genes have been identified as possible candidate genes and put through the candidate gene testing pipeline, and results are presented here.