Infection-specific transcriptional patterns of the maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus unravel genes involved in asexual development and virulence.

ABSTRACT: Southern corn leaf blight (SCLB) caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus is a destructive disease that threatens global maize (Zea mays) production. Despite many studies being conducted, very little is known about molecular processes employed by the pathogen during infection. There is a need to understand the fungal arms strategy and identify novel functional genes as targets for fungicide development. Transcriptome analysis based on RNA sequencing was carried out across conidia germination and host infection by C. heterostrophus. The present study revealed major changes in C. heterostrophus gene expression during host infection. Several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced during C. heterostrophus infection could be involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, peroxisome,

SUBMITTER: Yu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10775821 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature