Analyses of the rice (Oryza spp.) transcriptome during infection with the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola)

The accession TOG5681 of African rice, O. glaberrima, presents improved resistance to several biotic and abiotic factors, including nematodes. The aim of this study was to assess the molecular mechanisms underlying nematode resistance or susceptibility in rice plants.

Rice molecular responses to M. graminicola were assessed by root transcriptome profiling at several days post- infection (dpi). For the susceptible host (O. sativa Nipponbare), RNA-seq data were obtained from 10 libraries coming from two biological replicates (1 and 2) of the following samples: mock-inoculated rice root tips as plant controls (NipC) and M. graminicola-infected rice root tips collected at 2 dpi, 4 dpi, 8 dpi, 12 dpi or 16 dpi (Nip2dpi, Nip4dpi, Nip8dpi, Nip12dpi, Nip16dpi).