Transcriptome analysis of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita)-infected tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) roots reveals complex gene expression profiles and metabolic networks of both plant and nematode during susceptible and resistance responses.

Purpose: To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in disease development during plant-nematode interactions. Methods: We have taken a comprehensive transcriptomic approach to investigate the expression of both tomato and RKN genes in tomato roots at five infection time points from susceptible plants (PR: Pusa Ruby) and two infection time points from resistant plants (M36: Transgenic MM line), grown under soil conditions. Results: Differentially expressed genes during susceptible (1827 tomato, 462 RKN) and resistance (25 tomato, 160 RKN) interactions were identified and a set of genes were validated by qRT-PCR. Conclusion: Our findings, for the first time, provide insights into the transcriptome dynamics of both tomato and RKN during susceptible and resistance interactions and reveal involvement of a complex network of biosynthetic pathways during disease development. Overall design: Five infected stages from susceptible tomato plants (PR) and two infected stages from resistant tomato plants (M36) along with their corresponding uninfected controls (water inoculated) were analysed, in duplicates.