Transcriptional profiling of canola (Brassica napus L.) responses to the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

To investigate molecular changes in canola (Brassica napus L.) accompanying its interaction with the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, we investigated pathogen-induced changes in gene expression using microarrays. This study led to the identification of a number of interesting canola genes that were responsive to the pathogen-challenge at three different time points. More than 300 transcripts were detected by our studies as being increased or decreased in abundance at least two-fold as compared to uninoculated controls. Pathogen-responsive transcripts included those putatively associated with JA biosynthesis and signaling, reactive oxygen species metabolism, and cell wall structure and function. These genes may play important roles in mediating plant responses to the pathogen. We selected 11 genes that exhibited an increase, and 4 genes that exhibited a decrease in transcript abundance, for validation by quantitative real-time PCR. Results from qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated a similar trend as observed by microarray analysis and highlighted the potential involvement of these genes in mediating plant responses to the pathogen.