Transcriptional analysis of Powdery Mildew infected grape berries

Vitis vinifera berries are extremely sensitive towards infection by the biotrophic pathogen Erysiphe necator causing powdery mildew disease. This pathogen has a negative impact on quality of infected clusters and predispose them to bunch rot infections with deleterious effect on wine quality. The combined analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome associated with this fungal infection has not been previously carried out in grapes or in another fleshy fruit. In order to identify the molecular, hormonal and metabolic mechanisms associated with the infection, healthy and naturally infected Carignan berries were collected at two developmental stages: late green (EL33) and veraison (EL35).