Location: Food and Feed Safety Research
Project Number: 6054-41420-008-003-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 24, 2016
End Date: Aug 23, 2021
Objective:
The overall objective of this research is to identify genes encoding resistance associated proteins (RAPs), e.g., antifungal, stress responsive, or interfering with toxin signaling pathways, in developing and mature corn kernels through transcriptional profiling of Aspergillus flavus infected corn seed. We also will examine the effect of environmental changes on growth, development and aflatoxin production to better predict the durability of resistance to Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin accumulation in response to climate change. The specific objectives are: a) Identify specific fungal genes involved in the plant-fungal interactions and aflatoxin production; b) Identify specific corn genes involved in the plant-fungal interactions; specifically, those involved in resistance to fungal invasion and aflatoxin production; c) Determine molecular bases of elevated CO2 concentrations and temperature on reproduction in Aspergillus flavus.
Approach:
Gene transcription in Aspergillus (A.) flavus and maize seed during infection will be followed over time to establish a disease transcriptome database. A dynamic transcriptional network build from this database will be used to show causal inferences between genes and to identify regulatory nodes. RNAi silencing and gene replacement technologies will be used to validate those regulatory nodes in maize and A. flavus. Promising candidate genes will be evaluated for their role in host resistance to A. flavus and aflatoxin contamination. Transcriptional analysis in A. flavus in response to elevated CO2 and temperature will be used to identify key pathways that respond to these environmental factors and to predict risks of changes in the environment on aflatoxin contamination.
