Detection of long non-coding RNAs and analysis of the expression microbiome expression profile in the total transcriptome of sugarcane under biotic stress

• Grant number: 23/08813-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Marie-Anne Van Sluys
• Grantee: Joel Nunes Leite Junior
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/17545-8 - Genes, genomes & transposable elements contribution to plant-microbe interaction: a sugarcane study case, AP.BIOEN.TEM

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) is one of the most economically important cultivars in the world applications in the food and bioenergy industries, and can be an alternative to alternative to fossil fuels. Due to its physiological characteristics, the climate in Brazil is propitious for the propagation of its wide cultivation, making the country the main producer in the the world. However, producers may experience losses in productivity due to the action of pathogens pathogens, such as the fungus Sporisorium scitamineum causing charcoal disease, and the bacteria Leifsonia xyli subp. xyli and Xanthomonas albilineans, causing ratoon stunting and ratoon scalding. and leaf scald, respectively. However, the endophytic bacterium Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus may be beneficial because of its ability to produce growth promoting substances, and also produces the bacteriocin gluconacin active against phytopathogens. In this interaction, the plant can express different long RNAs that act in the regulation of genes responsive to inoculation, which can be related to retrotransposons. Furthermore, the natural plant microbiome may exhibit dysbiosis in the presence of pathogen, although it is not known if there is a pattern in the sugarcane pathobiome. Taken together, this study will increase the knowledge about plant lncRNA and also the development of a strategy for lncRNA and also the development of a strategy for analyzing the expression of the microbiome in association with plants. Finally, it is expected to find possible genetic markers that during the interaction and can be applied as biotechnological tools against pests by the pests by the agricultural industry and ensure greater efficiency in production at lower cost. (AU)