Differential gene expression in two grapevine cultivars recovered from “flavescence dorée”

Publication date: Available online 28 December 2018Source: Microbiological ResearchAuthor(s): Davide Pacifico, Paolo Margaria, Luciana Galetto, Mauro Legovich, Simona Abbà, Flavio Veratti, Cristina Marzachì, Sabrina PalmanoAbstractThe biological bases of recovery of two grapevine cultivars, Nebbiolo and Barbera, showing different susceptibility and recovery ability to “flavescence dorée” (FD) phytoplasma infection were investigated. The expression over one vegetative season, in FD-recovered and healthy grapevines, of 18 genes involved in defence, hydrogen peroxide and hormone production was verified at two time points. Difference (Δ) between the relative expressions of August and July were calculated for each target gene of both cultivars. The significance of differences among groups assessed by univariate and multivariate statistical methods, and sPLS-DA analyses of the Δ gene expression values, showed that control and recovered grapevines of both cultivars were clearly separated. The Barbera-specific deregulation of defence genes supports a stronger response of this variety, within a general frame of interactions among H2O2, jasmonate and ethylene metabolisms, common to both varieties. This may strengthen the hypothesis that FD-recovered Barbera grapevines modulate transcription of their genes to cope with potential damages associated to the alteration of their oxidative status. Nebbiolo variety would fit into this picture, although with a less intense response, in...
Source: Microbiological Research - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research