Differential expression of Chinese cabbage infected by Myzus persicae and Plutella xylostella

Plants can exhibit marked differences in gene expression due to herbivore attack. In this study, we compared global proteome profiles and the expression pattern of defense-related genes in Chinese cabbage when infested by Myzus persicae and Plutella xylostella. Four-week-old Chinese cabbage was exposed to each insect for 24 h, and then proteins and total RNA were extracted from the leaves. To elucidate the herbivore-induced differentially expressed proteins in Chinese cabbage, proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and visualized by staining with Coomassie G250. Approximately 1600 protein spots were separated, of which nearly 160 showed reproducible changes in expression. Among these, nine proteins whose expressions were markedly up-regulated in the M. persicae-infested group were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. The identified herbivore-responsive proteins (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, ATP synthase CF1, putative mismatch binding protein Mus3, and integrase core domain-containing protein) were involved in regulation of photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and DNA repair. The expression levels of chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, peroxidase, PR1, and PR4 in herbivore-infested Chinese cabbage were also analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR.

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► We compared global proteome profiles in herbivore-infested Chinese cabbage.
► Approximately 1600 protein spots were separated.
► Nearly 160 protein spots showed reproducible changes.
► Expression levels of defense-related genes in herbivore-infested Chinese cabbage.