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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Crop Science Research Laboratory » Corn Host Plant Resistance Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366024
Research Project: Enhanced Resistance of Maize to Aspergillus flavus Infection, Aflatoxin Accumulation, and Insect Damage

Location: Corn Host Plant Resistance Research

Title: Differential expression of signaling pathway genes associated with aflatoxin reduction quantitative trait loci in maize (Zea mays L.)

Author
item PARISH, FELICIA - Mississippi State University
item Williams, William
item Windham, Gary
item SHAN, XUEYAN - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Frontiers in Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/5/2019
Publication Date: 11/26/2019
Citation: Parish, F., Williams, W.P., Windham, G.L., Shan, X. 2019. Differential expression of signaling pathway genes associated with aflatoxin reduction quantitative trait loci in maize (Zea mays L.). Frontiers in Microbiology. 10:Article 2683. pgs. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.02683.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.02683

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The understanding of expression level changes in signaling pathway genes related to aflatoxin reduction in corn is pivotal to the improvement of corn resistance to the fungus Aspergillus flavus. In this study, 55 corn genes from the plant-pathogen interaction and signaling pathways were investigated in 12 corn near-isogenic lines (NILs) carrying previously identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with aflatoxin reduction. These NILs were developed from backcrossing of inbred lines Mp313E (resistant donor parent) and Va35 (susceptible recurrent parent). The quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) technique was used to study the gene expression patterns. Seven calcium-dependent protein kinase and one respiratory burst oxidase displayed significant differential gene expression levels among the NILs and two parental corn inbred lines. In addition, the gene expression profiles of WRKY transcription factors were also examined. Corn WRKY 52, WRKY 71, and WRKY83 genes displayed significant differential gene expression levels among the 12 NILs and two parental corn inbred lines. The elucidation of differentially expressed signaling pathway genes involving corn resistance to A. flavus can provide insights into corn disease resistance and enhance corn molecular breeding.