Open AccessComparative transcriptome analysis unveils the tolerance mechanisms of Citrus hystrix in response to ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ infection
Author(s) -
Yan Hu,
Xi Zhong,
Xuelu Liu,
Binghai Lou,
Changyong Zhou,
Xuefeng Wang
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0189229
Subject(s) - hystrix , biology , botany , transcriptome , carbohydrate metabolism , photosynthesis , gene , biochemistry , gene expression
Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), a highly devastating citrus disease, is associated with ‘ Candidatus Liberibacter asiacitus’ ( C Las), a member of phloem-inhabiting α-proteobacteria . HLB can affect all cultivated citrus and no cure is currently available. Previous studies showed that Kaffir lime ( Citrus hystrix ), primarily grown in South Asia and Southeast Asia, was tolerant to HLB but the molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, gene expression profiling experiments were performed on HLB-tolerant C . hystrix and HLB-susceptible C . sinensis three months after inoculation with C Las using RNA-seq data. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the two citrus cultivars were mainly involved in diverse cellular functions including carbohydrate metabolism, photosynthesis, cell wall metabolism, secondary metabolism, hormone metabolism and oxidation/reduction processes. Notably, starch synthesis and photosynthesis process were not disturbed in C Las-infected C . hystrix . Most of the DEGs involved in cell wall metabolism and secondary metabolism were up-regulated in C . hystrix . In addition, the activation of peroxidases, Cu/Zn-SOD and POD4, may also enhance the tolerance of C . hystrix to C Las. This study provides an insight into the host response of HLB-tolerant citrus cultivar to C Las. C . hystrix is potentially useful for HLB-tolerant/resistant citrus breeding in the future.