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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Cereal Disease Lab » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #187745
Title: GENE EXPRESSION PROFILES DURING CONIDIUM MATURATION AND EARLY CONIDIAL GERMINATION STAGES IN FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM

Author
item SEONG, KYE-YONG - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item XU, JIN-RONG - PURDUE UNIVERSITY
item Kistler, Harold

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome VX Conference Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/14/2006
Publication Date: 1/14/2006
Citation: Seong, K.-Y., Xu, J.-R. and Kistler, H.C. 2006. Gene expression profiles during conidium maturation and early conidial germination stages in Fusarium graminearum [Abstract]. Final Abstract Guide, Plant and Animal Genome XIV. p. 285.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fusarium graminearum is the most important causal agent of Fusarium head blight disease of small grains. To understand the infection cycle of this fungus, we monitored the gene expression profiles in newly formed conidia, mature conidia that had been desiccated for 10 days, and in early germination stages using the 17K feature Fusarium graminearum Affymetrix GeneChip. A total of 6,384 positive signals were detected in newly formed spores with detection p value <0.001. Expression of many genes involved in metabolism such as glycolysis, the glyoxylate cycle, and B-oxidation, as well as high expression of RNA polymerases and transcription factors imply that newly formed conidia are not dormant cells but rather are metabolically active. However, surprisingly a total of 2,916 positive signals were detected even in mature conidia. Among 543 signals that were up-regulated more than 2-fold upon spore maturation, were many genes involved in autophagy, proteolysis, protein secretion, and cell wall synthesis. Two hours after suspending conidia in liquid germination medium, a total of 5,587 signals were detected (p value <0.001) in these swollen spores and 2,593 signals were up-regulated more than 2-fold during spore swelling. High level induction of genes for transcription, RNA splicing, protein synthesis, and amino acid and nucleotide metabolisms were apparent during conidial swelling. Up-regulation of proteasome components and secretory proteins was observed upon hyphal expansion and polarized growth (8h). Many stage specific genes and events during spore maturation and germination will be discussed.