Alternative Splicing of a Host Defense Regulatory Gene, PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT4 (PAD4) in Soybean ( Glycine max)
Abstract
In soybeans, up to 63% of genes undergo alternative splicing in response to a variety of stimuli such as light levels, water stress, and biotic stressors. With respect to plant defense, alternative splice events have been observed in resistance genes. However, there have been no reports of alternative splicing occurring in defense regulatory genes. PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT4 (PAD4) is an important regulator of host defenses. In soybeans, elevated PAD4 (GmPAD4) expression is associated with increased resistance to soybean aphids. Our research shows that an splice variant variant of GmPAD4 also occurs in soybean plants. Therefore, the objectives on this study are to understand the splicing signature of soybean GmPAD4 and its splice variant, GmPAD4-AS1 as well as its role in soybean response to soybean aphid infestation. Our data shows that the proportion of the GmPAD4 splice variant, GmPAD4-AS1, changes in response to soybean aphid infestation. Towards this end, GmPAD4 and GmPAD4-AS1 have been characterized using molecular biology techniques in different tissues, growth stages, and cultivars. Analysis using qRT-PCR of GmPAD4 expression levels show that GmPAD4 expression increase within six hours of aphid feeding on Rag1 containing Dowling suggesting a role in increased defense against aphid infestation.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Nalam, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Molecular biology|Entomology|Plant sciences
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.