Proteome Analyses Reveal Macrophomina phaseolina’s Survival Tools When Challenged by Burkholderia contaminans NZ

A phytopathogenic fungus, Macrophomina phaseolina, which infects a wide range
of plants, is an important consideration in agronomy. A jute endophytic
bacterium, Burkholderia contaminans NZ, was found to have a promising effect in controlling the fungus
in in vitro culture conditions. Using the iTRAQ LC-MS/MS method for
quantitative proteomics study, an analysis of the whole proteome of Macrophomina phaseolina with or without B. contaminans NZ challenge identified 2204 different
proteins, of which 137 were found to have significant deviation in
expression. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analysis
identified most of the upregulated proteins to be functionally related
to energy production (26.11%), as well as defense and stress response
(23.45%), while there was significant downregulation in oxidative
stress protection pathways (42.61%), growth and cell wall integrity
(30.95%), and virulence (23.81%). Findings of this study suggest the
development of a battle when the phytopathogen encounters the bacterium. B. contaminans NZ manages to arrest the growth of
the fungus and decrease its pathogenicity, but the fungus apparently
survives under “hibernating” conditions by upregulating
its energy metabolism. This first ever proteomic study of M. phaseolina will go a long way in understanding
and developing strategies for its effective control.