Hypersensitive reaction of plum (Prunus domestica) in response to Plum pox virus infection: Changes in gene expression and identification of potential molecular markers

摘要

The aim of the study was to identify plum genes which are associated with plant hypersensitive response to Sharka caused by Plum pox virus (PPV) and to explain the molecular mechanism of hypersensitive reaction (HR) in response to PPV infection in selected genotypes of plum and search for molecular markers related of hypersensitivity. To identify candidate genes whose expression is modified during PPV infection, cDNA-AFLP technique was used. The analyses were done using pools of RNA isolated from hypersensitive and sensitive plants, both healthy and infected. Products of selective amplification showing differential expression in PPV-infected and non-infected plants were re-amplified and sequenced. Analysis using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) revealed their homology to genes encoding proteins involved in defence and host-pathogen interaction, cellular stress, signal perception and transduction, transmembrane transport, regulation of transcription and translation and various enzymes involved in other metabolic pathways. Especially interesting for their potential function in plant defence reactions are genes which were overexpressed in infected plants, both hypersensitive and susceptible. Some of them are proposed as potential molecular markers of hypersensitive reaction to PPV infection, useful in early selection of hypersensitive genotypes in plum breeding.