Abstract
Background Rice kernel smut (RKS), caused by the basidiomycete fungus Tilletia horrida , is one of the most devastating diseases affecting the production of male sterile lines of rice ( Oryza sativa ) worldwide. However, molecular mechanisms of resistance to T. horrida have not yet been explored.Results In the present study, analysis of the amount of T. horrida biomass in rice kernels and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis of rice male sterile lines resistant and susceptible to RKS (Jiangcheng 3A and 9311A, respectively) were conducted after T. horrida infection. Transcriptomic analysis showed that 9, 840 and 7, 902 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed in Jiangcheng3A and 9311A, respectively, after T. horrida inoculation, compared with the control. KEGG analyses of DEGs revealed that cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids were enriched by T. horrida inoculation in Jiangcheng 3A; however, not significantly enriched in 9311A. Furthermore, the DEGs related to plant-pathogen interaction, plant hormone signal transduction, and transcriptional factor genes were identified in both rice male sterile lines.Conclusions This is the first comparative transcriptome analysis of two rice genotypes with different responses to T. horrida infection, revealing DEGs with potentially important roles in defense against T. horrida infection. Ours results will serve as a strong foundation for developing effective strategies for T. horrida -resistance breeding.
Transcriptome Analysis for Abiotic Stresses in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)