Project description:RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) in plants is a well-characterized example of RNA interference-related transcriptional gene silencing. To determine the relationships between RdDM and heterochromatin in the repeat-rich maize (Zea mays) genome, we performed whole-genome analyses of several heterochromatic features: dimethylation of lysine 9 and lysine 27 (H3K9me2 and H3K27me2), chromatin accessibility, DNA methylation, and small RNAs; we also analyzed two mutants that affect these processes, mediator of paramutation1 and zea methyltransferase2.
Project description:The Helicoverpa armigera single-capsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaSNPV) can be propagated using H. zea insect cell cultures, for use as a biopesticide against Heliothine agricultural pests.This study sequenced, assembled and functionally annotated 29,586 transcript sequences from cultured H. zea cells using Illumina 100 bps and paired-end transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). From these sequences, a genome-scale microarray platform was constructed and validated for effective expression analysis of H. zea genes. This array also included probes for all HaSNPV genes, thereby allowing virus and host gene changes to be monitored simultaneously.
Project description:Papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) play important roles in plant defense mechanisms. Previous work identified a set of five apoplastic PLCPs (CP1A, CP1B, CP2, XCP2 and CatB) which are crucial for the orchestration of SA-dependent defense signaling and vice versa in maize (Zea mays). One central question from these findings is which mechanism is triggered by apoplastic PLCPs to induce SA-dependent defenses. By a mass spectrometry approach we discovered a novel peptide (Zip1 = Zea mays immune signaling peptide) to be enriched in apoplastic fluid upon SA treatment. Zip1 induces PR-gene expression when applied to naїve maize leaves. Moreover, it activates apoplastic PLCPs similar as SA does, suggesting Zip1 to play an important role in SA-mediated defense signaling. In vitro studies using recombinant protein showed that CP1A and CP2, but not XCP2 and CatB, release Zip1 from its pro-peptide (PROZIP1) in vitro. Strikingly, metabolite analysis showed direct induction of SA de novo synthesis by Zip1 in maize leaves. In line with this, RNA sequencing revealed that Zip1-mediated changes in maize gene expression largely resemble SA-induced responses. Consequently, Zip1 increases maize susceptibility to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. In summary, this study identifies the PLCP-released peptide signal Zip1, which triggers SA signaling in maize.
Project description:This is a cell culture based study to asses the impact of ZEA (Zearalenone) and E. coli co-contamination on IPEC cells, these is a normal epithelial cell line isolated from a new born piglet. ZEA is a mycotoxin with a negative impact in human health. The microarray is a custom Agilent Technology array slide with the AMAID: 05685.