Using proteomic analysis to find the proteins involved in resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in adult Brassica napus

Sclerotinia disease, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the most serious plant diseases in China. Research on the mechanism of disease resistance to S. sclerotiorum will help solve control problems. In this study, near-isogenic lines were first used in combination with the proteomic technique. A comparison of protein expression profiles in a susceptible line with those in a resistant line during the interaction of adult Brassica napus with S. sclerotiorum resulted in the identification of 20 important proteins related to disease resistance. Those proteins were then determined to be involved in various functions, including pathogen resistance, antioxidation, and transcription regulation. Our finding showed that some proteins involved in defence-a glycine rich protein (GRP); a trypsin inhibitor protein (TIP); two heat shock proteins (HSPs); and a thiol methyltransferase (TMT)-were upregulated or expressed specially in the resistant B. napus lines. These proteins contribute to ROS (reactive oxygen species) elimination and pathogen-defence in the resistant line, which would help the host defend itself against S. sclerotiorum. As a consequence, the onset of PCD (programmed cell death) was delayed, and the spread of S. sclerotiorum was slowed in the resistant line. Presented results underline the role of specific proteins in the disease process. By building on these results, future research may help determine the genes that are important in conveying resistance to S. sclerotiorum in B. napus.