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Title: DIFFERENTIALLY EXPRESSED GENES OF SOYBEAN IN RESPONSE TO INVASION BY THE THE SOYBEAN CYST NEMATODE

Author
item Matthews, Benjamin - Ben
item HEINZ, RUTH - RESEARCH ASSOC,OICD/USDA

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/31/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines Ichinohe is a devastating pest of the soybean, Glycine max L Merr. worldwide and is responsible for millions of dollars worth of damage in the USA alone. SCN Infection of soybean causes chlorosis, root necrosis, and suppresses shoot growth. We examined the differential expression of genes in resistant and susceptible soybean cultivars during invasion by soybean cyst nematode, race 3. Using differential display we identified genes induced in leaf and roots of resistant and susceptible plants 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 and 144 hours after inoculation with SCN. More than 50 bands were cloned and their ends were sequenced. In the early stage coinciding with nematode penetration and migration through the root, the genes detected were involved in regulation of gene expression. These included transcription factors and different nucleotide binding proteins. During the intermediate period of the infection, the initial feeding site is selected. Some regulatory genes are still differentially expressed. Also general defense response genes such as chitinases and peroxidases are turned on. The late stage of the infection process correlates with syncytial establishment in the susceptible plant or syncytial degeneration in the resistant plant. At this time a massive induction of general defense response genes occurs, as peroxidases, chitinases, and heat shock proteins are turned on. Understanding the function of genes expressed throughout the nematode infection process may clarify the events taking place and aid scientists in designing new modes of resistance.