DNA methylation dynamics during the interaction of wheat progenitor Aegilops tauschii with the obligate biotrophic fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici.

ABSTRACT: DNA methylation is dynamically involved in plant immunity, but little information is known about its roles in plant interactions with biotrophic fungi, especially in temperate grasses such as wheat (Triticum aestivum). Using wheat diploid progenitor Aegilops tauschii accession AL8/78, the genome of which has been sequenced, we assessed the extent of DNA methylation in response to infection with Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), which causes powdery mildew. Upon Bgt infection, ARGONAUTE4a (AGO4a) was significantly downregulated in A. tauschii, which was accompanied by a substantial reduction in AGO4a-sorted 24-nt siRNA levels, especially for genes near transposable elements (TAGs). Bisulfite sequencing revealed abundant differentially methylated regions (DMRs) with CHH hypomethylation

SUBMITTER: Geng S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6586159 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature