Identification in silico and confirmation via RT-qPCR of candidate resistance genes linked to ceratcystis wilt in cacao. In: Agrotrópica v. 32 n. 1 p. 21-30, 2020.

Abstract

One strategy for the identification of candidate genes is the in silico detection of the genes present in the resistance linked genomic regions (QTLs). The present work locates and correlate in silico genes found in the previously region of mapped QTLs, selecting and testing candidate genes involved in the resistance of cacao to C. cacaofunesta by RT-qPCR. We found 156 genes identified in the LXD-GL3 region and 166 in the LXD-GL9 region were reduced to 17 and 19 candidate genes, respectively, and at least 2 genes (osmotin e thaumatin) are especially interesting. The level of osmotin transcription is generally low at the start of infection (6 hours after inoculation), increases slightly at 48 hai, and rapidly increases over the course of days (7 and 15 days after inoculation) in the two genotypes studied. The expression pattern of thaumatin in the susceptible CCN 51 genotype increased abruptly in the first days after infection (7 and 15 dai), while the resistant genotype TSH 1188 showed a smaller increase in 7 dai and 15 dai. The antifungal activity of these genes makes them candidates for genetic engineering in the production of disease resistant plants.