Transcriptome and proteome analyses of resistant preharvest peanut seed coat in response to Aspergillus flavus infection

Study on the mechanism of peanut resistance to Fusarium oxysporum infection induced by Bacillus thuringiensis TG5

Peanut root rot, commonly referred to as rat tail or root rot, is caused by a range of Fusarium species. A strain of bacteria (named TG5) was isolated from crop rhizosphere soil in Mount Taishan, Shandong Province, China, through whole genome sequencing that TG5 was identified as Bacillus thuringiensis, which can specifically produce chloramphenicol, bacitracin, clarithromycin, lichen VK21A1 and bacitracin, with good biological control potential. Based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry metabonomics analysis and transcriptome conjoint analysis, the mechanism of TG5 and carbendazim inducing peanut plants to resist F. oxysporum stress was studied. In general, for peanut root rot caused by F. oxysporum, B. thuringiensis TG5 has greater advantages than carbendazim and is environmentally friendly. These findings provide new insights for peanut crop genetics and breeding, and for microbial pesticides to replace traditional highly toxic and highly polluting chemical pesticides. Based on the current background of agricultural green cycle and sustainable development, it has significant practical significance and broad application prospects.

Proteomic Analysis of Arachis hypogaea Seeds from Different Maturity Classes

Physiological maturity impacts seed quality through various mechanisms including vigor, desiccation tolerance, dormancy induction, synthesis of raw materials (including seed storage proteins), and the reorganization of metabolisms. Peanut seed development can be classified into seven classes with four incremental stages per class. Based on the mesocarp color, the final three stages are commonly referred to as "orange", "brown", and "black". In 2017, freshly harvested pods from one genotype of runner market-type peanuts grown under conventional practices were obtained from the University of Georgia research facility. The pods were removed from the plant material and 'pod blasted' to reveal the mesocarp. After separation, the remainder of the pod outer layer was removed, and the seeds were segregated for proteomic analysis. The raw peanuts were analyzed by bottom-up LC-MS/MS proteomics, which was conducted by the Proteomics Resource Center at the Rockefeller University, to identify the significant protein composition differences in each maturity class. The proteomic data revealed differentially expressed proteins as a function of maturity class with multiple functions including plant defense, metabolism, cell signaling, nutrient accumulation, and packaging. Understanding the processes needed for seed maturation will enable peanut scientists to evaluate the traits needed for robust germination, hardiness of the seed in response to disease, and nutrient quality.

Understanding the mechanism of pathogenicity through interactome studies between Arachis hypogaea L. and Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) infects the peanut seeds during pre-and post-harvest stages, causing seed quality destruction for humans and livestock consumption. Even though many resistant varieties were developed, the molecular mechanism of defense interactions of peanut against A. flavus still needs further investigation. Hence, an interologous host-pathogen protein interaction (HPPI) network was constructed to understand the subcellular level interaction mechanism between peanut and A. flavus. Out of the top 10 hub proteins of both organisms, protein phosphatase 2C and cyclic nucleotide-binding/kinase domain-containing protein and different ribosomal proteins were identified as candidate proteins involved in defense. Functional annotation and subcellular localization based characterization of HPPI identified protein SGT1 homolog, calmodulin and Rac-like GTP-binding proteins to be involved in defense response against fungus. The relevance of HPPI in infectious conditions was assessed using two transcriptome data which identified the interplay of host kinase class R proteins, bHLH TFs and cell wall related proteins to impart resistance against pathogen infection. Further, the pathogenicity analysis identified glycogen phosphorylase and molecular chaperone and allergen Mod-E/Hsp90/Hsp1 as potential pathogen targets to enhance the host defense mechanism. Hence, the computationally predicted host-pathogen PPI network could provide valuable support for molecular biology experiments to understand the host-pathogen interaction. SIGNIFICANCE: Protein-protein interactions execute significant cellular interactions in an organism and are influenced majorly by stress conditions. Here we reported the host-pathogen protein-protein interaction between peanut and A. flavus, and a detailed network analysis based on function, subcellular localization, gene co-expression, and pathogenicity was performed. The network analysis identified key proteins such as host kinase class R proteins, calmodulin, SGT1 homolog, Rac-like GTP-binding proteins bHLH TFs and cell wall related to impart resistance against pathogen infection. We observed the interplay of defense related proteins and cell wall related proteins predominantly, which could be subjected to further studies. The network analysis described in this study could be applied to understand other host-pathogen systems generally.

Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses of the Response of Resistant Peanut Seeds to Aspergillus flavus Infection

Peanut seeds are susceptible to Aspergillus flavus infection, which has a severe impact on the peanut industry and human health. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this defense remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential metabolites during A. flavus infection between Zhonghua 6 and Yuanza 9102 by transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. A total of 5768 DEGs were detected in the transcriptomic study. Further functional analysis showed that some DEGs were significantly enriched in pectinase catabolism, hydrogen peroxide decomposition and cell wall tissues of resistant varieties at the early stage of infection, while these genes were differentially enriched in the middle and late stages of infection in the nonresponsive variety Yuanza 9102. Some DEGs, such as those encoding transcription factors, disease course-related proteins, peroxidase (POD), chitinase and phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL), were highly expressed in the infection stage. Metabolomic analysis yielded 349 differential metabolites. Resveratrol, cinnamic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid in phenylalanine metabolism and 13S-HPODE in the linolenic acid metabolism pathway play major and active roles in peanut resistance to A. flavus. Combined analysis of the differential metabolites and DEGs showed that they were mainly enriched in phenylpropane metabolism and the linolenic acid metabolism pathway. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses further confirmed that peanuts infected with A. flavus activates various defense mechanisms, and the response to A. flavus is more rapid in resistant materials. These results can be used to further elucidate the molecular mechanism of peanut resistance to A. flavus infection and provide directions for early detection of infection and for breeding peanut varieties resistant to aflatoxin contamination.

Advances in omics research on peanut response to biotic stresses

Peanut growth, development, and eventual production are constrained by biotic and abiotic stresses resulting in serious economic losses. To understand the response and tolerance mechanism of peanut to biotic and abiotic stresses, high-throughput Omics approaches have been applied in peanut research. Integrated Omics approaches are essential for elucidating the temporal and spatial changes that occur in peanut facing different stresses. The integration of functional genomics with other Omics highlights the relationships between peanut genomes and phenotypes under specific stress conditions. In this review, we focus on research on peanut biotic stresses. Here we review the primary types of biotic stresses that threaten sustainable peanut production, the multi-Omics technologies for peanut research and breeding, and the recent advances in various peanut Omics under biotic stresses, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, miRNAomics, epigenomics and phenomics, for identification of biotic stress-related genes, proteins, metabolites and their networks as well as the development of potential traits. We also discuss the challenges, opportunities, and future directions for peanut Omics under biotic stresses, aiming sustainable food production. The Omics knowledge is instrumental for improving peanut tolerance to cope with various biotic stresses and for meeting the food demands of the exponentially growing global population.

Exogenous Ca2+ priming can improve peanut photosynthetic carbon fixation and pod yield under early sowing scenarios in the field

Harnessing cold-resilient and calcium-enriched peanut production technology are crucial for high-yielding peanut cultivation in high-latitude areas. However, there is limited field data about how exogenous calcium (Ca²⁺) application would improve peanut growth resilience during exposure to chilling stress at early sowing (ES). To help address this problem, a two-year field study was conducted to assess the effects of exogenous foliar Ca²⁺ application on photosynthetic carbon fixation and pod yield in peanuts under different sowing scenarios. We measured plant growth indexes, leaf photosynthetic gas exchange, photosystems activities, and yield in peanuts. It was indicated that ES chilling stress at the peanut seedling stage led to the reduction of Pn, g_s, Tr, Ls, WUE, respectively, and the excessive accumulation of non-structural carbohydrates in leaves, which eventually induced a chilling-dependent feedback inhibition of photosynthesis due mainly to weaken growth/sink demand. While exogenous Ca²⁺ foliar application improved the export of nonstructural carbohydrates, and photosynthetic capacity, meanwhile activated cyclic electron flow, thereby enhancing growth and biomass accumulation in peanut seedlings undergoing ES chilling stress. Furthermore, ES combined with exogenous Ca²⁺ application can significantly enhance plant chilling resistance and peanut yield ultimately in the field. In summary, the above results demonstrated that exogenous foliar Ca²⁺ application restored the ES-linked feedback inhibition of photosynthesis, enhancing the growth/sink demand and the yield of peanuts.

Gene Co-expression Network Analysis of the Comparative Transcriptome Identifies Hub Genes Associated With Resistance to Aspergillus flavus L. in Cultivated Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a cosmopolitan oil crop, is susceptible to a variety of pathogens, especially Aspergillus flavus L., which not only vastly reduce the quality of peanut products but also seriously threaten food safety for the contamination of aflatoxin. However, the key genes related to resistance to Aspergillus flavus L. in peanuts remain unclear. This study identifies hub genes positively associated with resistance to A. flavus in two genotypes by comparative transcriptome and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) method. Compared with susceptible genotype (Zhonghua 12, S), the rapid response to A. flavus and quick preparation for the translation of resistance-related genes in the resistant genotype (J-11, R) may be the drivers of its high resistance. WGCNA analysis revealed that 18 genes encoding pathogenesis-related proteins (PR10), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO1), MAPK kinase, serine/threonine kinase (STK), pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), cytochrome P450, SNARE protein SYP121, pectinesterase, phosphatidylinositol transfer protein, and pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein play major and active roles in peanut resistance to A. flavus. Collectively, this study provides new insight into resistance to A. flavus by employing WGCNA, and the identification of hub resistance-responsive genes may contribute to the development of resistant cultivars by molecular-assisted breeding.

Peanut Seed Coat Acts as a Physical and Biochemical Barrier against Aspergillus flavus Infection

Aflatoxin contamination is a global menace that adversely affects food crops and human health. Peanut seed coat is the outer layer protecting the cotyledon both at pre- and post-harvest stages from biotic and abiotic stresses. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of seed coat against A. flavus infection. In-vitro seed colonization (IVSC) with and without seed coat showed that the seed coat acts as a physical barrier, and the developmental series of peanut seed coat showed the formation of a robust multilayered protective seed coat. Radial growth bioassay revealed that both insoluble and soluble seed coat extracts from 55-437 line (resistant) showed higher A. flavus inhibition compared to TMV-2 line (susceptible). Further analysis of seed coat biochemicals showed that hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives are the predominant phenolic compounds, and addition of these compounds to the media inhibited A. flavus growth. Gene expression analysis showed that genes involved in lignin monomer, proanthocyanidin, and flavonoid biosynthesis are highly abundant in 55-437 compared to TMV-2 seed coats. Overall, the present study showed that the seed coat acts as a physical and biochemical barrier against A. flavus infection and its potential use in mitigating the aflatoxin contamination.

The resistance of peanut to soil-borne pathogens improved by rhizosphere probiotics under calcium treatment

Background

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil and economic crop. Calcium modulates plants in response to abiotic stresses and improves plant resistance to pathogens. Enrichment of beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere is associated with plant disease resistance and soil development. The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in peanut rhizosphere microbial community structure between the calcium treatment and the control during two growth stages and to explain why calcium application could improve the resistance of peanuts to soil-borne pathogens.

Results

The 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing of rhizosphere microbiome showed that calcium application significantly enriched Serratia marcescens and other three dominant strains at the seedling stage. At the pod filling stage, ten dominant stains such as Sphingomonas changbaiensis and Novosphingobium panipatense were enriched by calcium. Serratia marcescens aseptic fermentation filtrate was mixed with PDA medium and inoculated with the main soil-borne pathogens in the seedling stage, which could inhibit the growth of Fusarium solani and Aspergillus flavus. The aseptic fermentation filtrate of Novosphingobium panipatense was mixed with PDA medium and inoculated with the main soil-borne pathogens in the pod filling stage, which could inhibit the growth of Sclerotium rolfsii and Leptosphaerulina arachidicola.

Conclusions

Calcium application increases the resistance of peanuts to soil-borne pathogens by enriching them with specific dominant bacteria.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-021-02355-3.

High-Density Genetic Linkage Map Construction Using Whole-Genome Resequencing for Mapping QTLs of Resistance to Aspergillus flavus Infection in Peanut

The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), which is rich in edible oil and protein, is widely planted around the world as an oil and cash crop. However, aflatoxin contamination seriously affects the quality safety of peanuts, hindering the development of the peanut industry and threatening the health of consumers. Breeding peanut varieties with resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection is important for the control of aflatoxin contamination, and understanding the genetic basis of resistance is vital to its genetic enhancement. In this study, we reported the quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of resistance to A. flavus infection of a well-known resistant variety, J11. A mapping population consisting of 200 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was constructed by crossing a susceptible variety, Zhonghua 16, with J11. Through whole-genome resequencing, a genetic linkage map was constructed with 2,802 recombination bins and an average inter-bin distance of 0.58 cM. Combined with phenotypic data of an infection index in 4 consecutive years, six novel resistant QTLs with 5.03-10.87% phenotypic variances explained (PVE) were identified on chromosomes A05, A08, B01, B03, and B10. The favorable alleles of five QTLs were from J11, while that of one QTL was from Zhonghua 16. The combination of these favorable alleles significantly improved resistance to A. flavus infection. These results could contribute greatly to the understanding of the genetic basis of A. flavus resistance and could be meaningful in the improvement of further resistance in peanuts.

Antifungal Mechanism of Volatile Organic Compounds Produced by Bacillus subtilis CF-3 on Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Assessed Using Omics Technology

Bacillus subtilis is commonly used as a biocontrol bacterium owing to its strong antifungal activity, broad-spectrum inhibition, and general safety. In this study, the inhibitory effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by B. subtilis CF-3 on Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, a major destructive phytopathogen of litchi anthracnose, were analyzed using proteomics and transcriptomics. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and proteins (DEPs) indicated that the inhibition of C. gloeosporioides by B. subtilis CF-3 VOCs downregulated the expression of genes related to cell membrane fluidity, cell wall integrity, energy metabolism, and production of cell wall-degrading enzymes. Particularly, those important DEGs and DEPs related to the ergosterol biosynthetic and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids are most significantly influenced. 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, a characteristic component of B. subtilis CF-3 VOCs, also showed a similar effect on C. gloeosporioides. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the potential application of B. subtilis CF-3 in the postharvest protection of fruits and vegetables.

Functional Biology and Molecular Mechanisms of Host-Pathogen Interactions for Aflatoxin Contamination in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and Maize (Zea mays L.)

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by soilborne saprophytic fungus Aspergillus flavus and closely related species that infect several agricultural commodities including groundnut and maize. The consumption of contaminated commodities adversely affects the health of humans and livestock. Aflatoxin contamination also causes significant economic and financial losses to producers. Research efforts and significant progress have been made in the past three decades to understand the genetic behavior, molecular mechanisms, as well as the detailed biology of host-pathogen interactions. A range of omics approaches have facilitated better understanding of the resistance mechanisms and identified pathways involved during host-pathogen interactions. Most of such studies were however undertaken in groundnut and maize. Current efforts are geared toward harnessing knowledge on host-pathogen interactions and crop resistant factors that control aflatoxin contamination. This study provides a summary of the recent progress made in enhancing the understanding of the functional biology and molecular mechanisms associated with host-pathogen interactions during aflatoxin contamination in groundnut and maize.