Changes In Gene Expression During Reniform Nematode Infestation of Cotton Seedlings As Determined by Deep Sequencing of cDNA Libraries

Six cotton genotypes (Delta Pearl, Suregrow 747, FiblerMax 966, Paymaster 1218, TX245 and TX1419) were infested with reniform nematode, and root samples were collected at 0 days (uninfected), 1 day, 3 day and 5 days post infection. Total RNA was extracted from these 6 genotypes.  Samples from 0 day time were pooled as the uninfested control, and the 1, 3, & 5 days post-infection samples were pooled from each treatment as the infested plants. cDNA library were prepared and submitted for ABI 454 MPSS sequencing. Expression level of genes that are up or down regulated during reniform nematode infestation was analyzed. The results indicated that specific genes up or down regulated are related to different physiological processes. This overview of gene expression during plant-nematode interaction will provide insights into indentifying key processes involved in reniform nematode infestation that can be utilized for breeding resistant and susceptible plants in the future.