Citation
Ahmad, Suhanna
(2021)
Genetic diversity and expression analyses of secreted in xylem effector genes of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense isolated from Peninsular Malaysia.
Masters thesis, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Abstract
Banana is a commercially important fruit in the majority of tropical and
subtropical countries. Banana plantations cover nearly 35,000 hectares of land,
accounting for approximately 24% of Malaysia's total fruit production, with Johor
plantations accounting for approximately 32% of the nation's banana
production. The Fusarium wilt pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense
(Foc) is a major cause of disease in the banana industry, limiting banana
production in Malaysia and causing significant economic losses. Currently, the
majority of locally grown bananas (Berangan, Rasthali, Mas) and plantains used
for cooking or processing (Raja, Abu, and Awak) have been found to be
susceptible to Foc-TR4. To date, AFLP, RAPD, ISSR and SSR markers are
extensively used in PCR-based molecular characterization of Foc. Although
these markers are effective in characterizing Foc, they all have their own
limitations. An effector gene known as Secreted in Xylem (SIX) has been
explored to broaden the molecular diagnostic toolbox for Foc. The main
objective of this study was to identify expression of SIX genes in banana plantlet
during infection with the Foc-TR4. This will be an important step in
understanding the pathogenicity response of the plant and will help to develop
any disease management strategies. In this study, the virulence potential of 27
isolates of Foc of banana based on pathogenicity test and the presence of SIX1,
SIX7 and SIX8 genes were determined. All of 27 Foc ‘Tropical Race 4’ (TR4)
(VCG 01213/160) isolates were obtained from Biological Control Laboratory,
Department of Plant Protection, University Putra Malaysia (UPM). All isolates
were pathogenic towards Musa acuminata Berangan AAA at different severity
levels under greenhouse condition. Pathogenicity assays indicated that the
level of aggressiveness varies between isolates. The Foc-TR4 isolates were
screened for the presence of three SIX genes (SIX1, SIX7 and SIX8) and the
genetic differentiation of Foc- TR4 was evaluated by PCR analysis using three
specific primers (SIX1, SIX7 and SIX8). Among these three SIX genes, SIX1 and SIX8 genes were detected in all 27 Foc-TR4 isolates from Peninsular Malaysia.
The presence of SIX1 and SIX8 in Foc-TR4 suggested these genes were likely
involved in pathogenicity on banana. Phylogenetic analysis using SIX1 and
SIX8 sequences showed that they were related to TR4 isolates (VCG 01213/16)
from Australia and Indonesian with bootstrap values of 94% and 100%,
respectively. There was no variation observed in the SIX1 and SIX8 sequences
since all 27 isolates clustered in the same clade. Virulence level do not correlate
with the existence or lack of these genes. Highest and lowest disease severity
values (80.73% and 10.42%) on banana plantlet were selected. The T30 and
T36 isolates were found to be highly aggressive and weakly aggressive,
respectively. Both T30 and T36 isolates were analyzed by qRT-PCR analyses
for the expression of SIX1 and SIX8 genes to elucidate whether these genes
play a role in the pathogenicity response of Foc-TR4 on Musa acuminate cv.
Berangan plantlets during early and late of infection stages. Expression
analyses of SIX1 and SIX8 were constructed from banana roots collected after
0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 15, 20- and 30-day post-infection (dpi). The SIX1 and SIX8 genes
were expressed after being induced by the host and showed higher expression
at 8 dpi and 12 dpi respectively in both T30 and T36 isolates. From these
results, it can be concluded that highly expressed virulence-associated genes,
SIX1 and SIX8 can be used as markers for the assessment of Foc-TR4 virulence.
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