Combining QTL mapping with transcriptome and metabolome profiling reveals a possible role for ABA signaling in resistance against the cabbage whitefly in cabbage

PLoS One. 2018 Nov 6;13(11):e0206103. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206103. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Whiteflies are among the world's most significant agricultural pests and chemical insecticides are extensively used to reduce crop damage to acceptable levels. However, nearly all insecticides pose a threat to the environment and alternative control methods, such as breeding of crop varieties that are inherently insect-resistant, are needed. Previously, a strong source of plant-age dependent resistance to the cabbage whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella) has been identified in the modern white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) variety Rivera. However, nothing is known about the molecular mechanisms or the genes involved in this resistance. In the present study, a multidisciplinary approach combining transcriptome and metabolome profiling with genetic mapping was used to identify the molecular players of whitefly resistance in cabbage. Transcriptome profiles of young (susceptible) and older (resistant) Rivera plants were analyzed using RNA sequencing. While many genes involved in general processes were differentially expressed between both ages, several defense-related processes were overrepresented in the transcriptome profile of older plants. Hormone measurements revealed that jasmonic acid (JA) levels decreased upon whitefly infestation at both plant ages. Interestingly, abscisic acid (ABA) levels showed contrasting effects in response to whitefly infestation: ABA levels were reduced in young plants but induced in older plants upon whitefly feeding. Auxin levels were significantly lower in older plants compared with young plants, independent of whitefly presence, while glucosinolate levels were higher. Additionally, whitefly performance was monitored in an F2 population derived from a cross between Rivera and the susceptible white cabbage variety Christmas Drumhead. Significant QTL intervals were mapped on chromosome 2 and 9 for oviposition rate and whitefly adult survival, respectively. Several genes that were higher expressed in older plants and located in the identified QTL intervals were orthologous to Arabidopsis genes that have been related to ABA signaling, suggesting a role for ABA in the regulation of resistance towards whiteflies. Our results show that combining different omics approaches is a useful strategy to identify candidate genes underlying insect resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abscisic Acid / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Brassica / genetics
  • Brassica / growth & development
  • Brassica / parasitology*
  • Chromosome Mapping / methods*
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Disease Resistance*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Glucosinolates / metabolism
  • Hemiptera / physiology*
  • Metabolome / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Annotation
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Diseases / genetics
  • Plant Diseases / parasitology*
  • Plant Growth Regulators / metabolism
  • Plant Leaves / parasitology
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Quantitative Trait Loci / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcriptome / genetics*

Substances

  • Glucosinolates
  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • Abscisic Acid

Grants and funding

The project was funded by a VENI grant (no. 13087 to CB) funded by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW, which is part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), a grant from the EU 7th framework program for the PGR Secure project (Grant agreement no: 266394), and a grant from the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands (project no. BO-26.03-009-001). The funders provided support in the form of salaries for authors (VENI & Keygene N.V. for CB, EU program and Ministry for KTBP), but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.