Interspecific Proteomic Comparisons Reveal Ash Phloem Genes Potentially Involved in Constitutive Resistance to the Emerald Ash Borer
2011

Proteomic Comparisons of Ash Trees Against Emerald Ash Borer

Sample size: 32 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Whitehill Justin G. A., Popova-Butler Alexandra, Green-Church Kari B., Koch Jennifer L., Herms Daniel A., Bonello Pierluigi

Primary Institution: The Ohio State University

Hypothesis

The study aims to identify genetic traits in resistant Manchurian ash that confer resistance to the emerald ash borer compared to susceptible North American ash species.

Conclusion

The study identified four proteins in Manchurian ash that may play a role in its resistance to the emerald ash borer.

Supporting Evidence

  • Manchurian ash was found to have significantly higher levels of certain proteins compared to susceptible North American ash species.
  • Four proteins were identified that may contribute to the resistance of Manchurian ash against the emerald ash borer.
  • Proteomic differences corresponded strongly to phylogenetic relationships among the ash species studied.
  • Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in protein expression between resistant and susceptible species.

Takeaway

Scientists looked at the proteins in different types of ash trees to find out why some trees can fight off a harmful bug better than others.

Methodology

The study used Difference Gel Electrophoresis (DIGE) to compare the phloem proteomes of resistant Manchurian ash to susceptible black, green, and white ash.

Limitations

The study is limited by the lack of genomic information for the ash species and the challenges of cross-species proteomic comparisons.

Participant Demographics

The study involved clonal individuals of four ash species: Manchurian, black, green, and white ash.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Confidence Interval

95%

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024863

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