Inferring co-expression networks of Arabidopsis thaliana genes during their interaction with Trichoderma spp.

Tricoderma genus fungi are referred to as "biostimulants" because they promote plant development and provide disease resistance. In this study, utilizing a conventional transcriptome analysis and gene co-expression network analysis after conventionally stimulating Arabidopsis thaliana with Trichoderma atroviride or Trichoderma virens. We found by differential expression and functional enrichment analyses that the transcriptome analysis of the plant during interactions, T. atroviride and T. virens, were involved in the reduction of reactive oxygen species, defense mechanisms against pathogens, and hormone signaling pathways. T. virens, as opposed to T. atroviride, was more effective at downregulating genes related to terpenoid metabolism, root development, and chemical homeostasis. We were able to find functional gene modules through network analysis that closely link plant defense mechanisms with hypoxia mechanisms. We discovered a transcription factor (locus AT2G47520) with two functional domains of interest: a DNA-binding domain and an N-terminal cysteine needed for protein stability under hypoxia. We discovered that the transcription factor can bind to the promoter sequence of the GCC-box gene that is connected to pathogenesis by positioned weight matrix analysis. Overall design: Analysis of differential expression of Arabidopsis thaliana genes during its interaction with trichoderma. We used network analysis to investigate how the plant genes associated to respond to its colonization by trichoderma samples of biological material were collected at 48, 72 and 96 hours after co-culture