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Investigating Gene Function in Cereal Rust Fungi by Plant-Mediated Virus-Induced Gene Silencing

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Wheat Rust Diseases

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1659))

Abstract

Cereal rust fungi are destructive pathogens, threatening grain production worldwide. Targeted breeding for resistance utilizing host resistance genes has been effective. However, breakdown of resistance occurs frequently and continued efforts are needed to understand how these fungi overcome resistance and to expand the range of available resistance genes. Whole genome sequencing, transcriptomic and proteomic studies followed by genome-wide computational and comparative analyses have identified large repertoire of genes in rust fungi among which are candidates predicted to code for pathogenicity and virulence factors. Some of these genes represent defence triggering avirulence effectors. However, functions of most genes still needs to be assessed to understand the biology of these obligate biotrophic pathogens. Since genetic manipulations such as gene deletion and genetic transformation are not yet feasible in rust fungi, performing functional gene studies is challenging. Recently, Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) has emerged as a useful tool to characterize gene function in rust fungi while infecting and growing in host plants. We utilized Barley stripe mosaic virus-mediated virus induced gene silencing (BSMV-VIGS) to induce HIGS of candidate rust fungal genes in the wheat host to determine their role in plant–fungal interactions. Here, we describe the methods for using BSMV-VIGS in wheat for functional genomics study in cereal rust fungi.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 101 Route 100, Unit 100, Morden, MB, Canada

    Vinay Panwar

  2. National Research Council Canada, Plant Biotechnology Institute, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Vinay Panwar

  3. Summerland Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland, BC, Canada

    Guus Bakkeren

Authors
  1. Vinay Panwar
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  2. Guus Bakkeren
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vinay Panwar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Aust Capital Terr, Australia

    Sambasivam Periyannan

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Panwar, V., Bakkeren, G. (2017). Investigating Gene Function in Cereal Rust Fungi by Plant-Mediated Virus-Induced Gene Silencing. In: Periyannan, S. (eds) Wheat Rust Diseases. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1659. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7249-4_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7249-4_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7248-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7249-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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