Abstract
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Background: Burkholderia andropogonis is the causal agent of bacterial leaf stripe, one of the three major bacterial diseases affecting Sorghum bicolor. However, the biochemical aspects of the pathophysiological host responses are not well understood. An untargeted metabolomics approach was designed to understand molecular mechanisms underlying S. bicolor–B. andropogonis interactions. At the 4-leaf stage two sorghum cultivars (NS 5511 and NS 5655), differing in disease susceptibility/resistance, were infected with B. andropogonis, and the metabolic changes monitored over time.
Results: The NS 5511 cultivar displayed delayed signs of wilting and lesion progression compared to the NS 5655 cultivar, indicative of enhanced resistance. The metabolomics results identified statistically significant metabolites as biomarkers associated with the sorghum defence. These include the phytohormones salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and zeatin. Moreover, metabolic reprogramming in an array of chemically diverse metabolites that span a wide range of metabolic pathways was associated with the defense response. Signatory biomarkers included aromatic amino acids, shikimic acid, metabolites from the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways, as well as fatty acids. Enhanced synthesis and accumulation of apigenin and derivatives thereof, was a prominent feature of the altered metabolomes.
Conclusions: The analyses revealed an intricate and dynamic network metabolic pathways and metabolites comprisingthe sorghum defence arsenal towards B. andropogonis in establishing an enhanced defensive capacity in support of resistance and disease suppression.
Take Away Notes:
• Application of metabolomics tools and approaches in Plant Science.
• New knowledge regarding sorghum defense responses.
• Research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching.
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