Transcriptome analysis of asparagus in response to postharvest treatment with Yarrowia lipolytica

Our previous study showed that Yarrowia lipolytica can be a potential postharvest treatment for Fusarium disease control in asparagus. In light of this, our current study is further interested in exploring the molecular mechanisms involved in the disease control. RNA-Seq analysis of asparagus was performed 3 days after inoculation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the signal transduction pathways of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonate (JA) in asparagus were triggered by Y. lipolytica. Simultaneously, Ca2+ signal transduction was activated (CML19) and reactive oxygen output (RBOHE, RBOHF) was triggered. These changes triggered several genes that play important roles in plant disease resistance, including PR1 genes, PGIP2, PLP2, and FMO1. In addition, antioxidant genes (PER genes, PNC1, Sb03g046810) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes, genes assigned to secondary metabolites (CCR, CAD, DIR21, PAL, PER genes, CYP75B2, CYP73A13, UGT92A1, UGT73C6, F3H-1, CCoAMT5, ALDH2C4, and BGLU12) induced the ability of asparagus to improve disease resistance. Genes involved in the EMP-TCA pathway (FRK2, PFK3 and MSTRG.32630) were amplified, which can provide energy for the defense response, and genes related to the cell wall and membrane (SBH1, SBH2, LRX, and PERK) were induced to improve the physical barriers against the pathogen. The results of the study can serve as a reference for further investigation of the molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction between plants and antagonistic yeasts and can contribute to the practical application of biocontrols.