AUTHOR=Gazengel Kévin , Aigu Yoann , Lariagon Christine , Humeau Mathilde , Gravot Antoine , Manzanares-Dauleux Maria J. , Daval Stéphanie 

TITLE=Nitrogen Supply and Host-Plant Genotype Modulate the Transcriptomic Profile of Plasmodiophora brassicae

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.701067

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2021.701067

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Nitrogen fertilization can affect the susceptibility of <italic>Brassica napus</italic> to the telluric pathogen <italic>Plasmodiophora brassicae</italic>. Our previous works highlighted that the influence of nitrogen can strongly vary regarding plant cultivar/pathogen strain combinations, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. The present work aims to explore how nitrogen supply can affect the molecular physiology of <italic>P. brassicae</italic> through its life epidemiological cycle. A time-course transcriptome experiment was conducted to study the interaction, under two conditions of nitrogen supply, between isolate eH and two <italic>B. napus</italic> genotypes (Yudal and HD-018), harboring (or not harboring) low nitrogen-conditional resistance toward this isolate (respectively). <italic>P. brassicae</italic> transcriptional patterns were modulated by nitrogen supply, these modulations being dependent on both host-plant genotype and kinetic time. Functional analysis allowed the identification of <italic>P. brassicae</italic> genes expressed during the secondary phase of infection, which may play a role in the reduction of Yudal disease symptoms in low-nitrogen conditions. Candidate genes included pathogenicity-related genes (“NUDIX,” “carboxypeptidase,” and “NEP-proteins”) and genes associated to obligate biotrophic functions of <italic>P. brassicae</italic>. This work illustrates the importance of considering pathogen’s physiological responses to get a better understanding of the influence of abiotic factors on clubroot resistance/susceptibility.</p>