Dual RNA-Sequencing of Vitis vinifera During Lasiodiplodia theobromae Infection Unveils Host-Pathogen Interactions

We report the use of a Dual RNA-Seq approach to investigate the interaction of grapevine with the Botryosphaeria dieback agent L. theobromae. The aim of this work was to (1) identify pathogenicity factors produced by L. theobromae, and (2) determine the V. vinifera defence response to the pathogen. Overall design: 1-year-old seedlings of V. vinifera were inoculated with L. theobromae and four sampling points were defined: 1, 3, 7, and 10 days post inoculation (dpi). Dual RNA-sequencing was performed to characterise both host and pathogen transcriptomes during infection.