Comparative analyses of transcriptome and proteome in response to cotton bollworm between a resistant wild soybean and a susceptible soybean cultivar

Abstract

Soybean is an important oil and protein crop in the world. Cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is one of primary defoliating insects which seriously damage the soybean production. The wild soybean, ED059, was reported to be highly resistant to H. armigera. However, the molecular mechanism of resistance to H. armigera remains unknown. In this study, we conducted the transcript and protein profilings for ED059 and a susceptible soybean cultivar (cv.) Tianlong 2. In summary, 2213 genes and 116 proteins were specifically expressed in response to H. armigera in ED059, while 2179 genes and 9 proteins were specifically expressed in cv. Tianlong 2. Four hundred and four genes were significantly up-regulated in response to H. armigera in ED059 while down-regulated or not changed in cv. Tianlong 2. GO analyses showed the specifically expressed genes in ED059 were mainly enriched in metabolism-related pathways. The function of one potential resistant gene involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway was confirmed by use of transgenic Arabidopsis. Our study provided useful resources for the soybean improvement, which could contribute to the elucidation of defense mechanisms against chewing insects in plants.