Biology subjects

Balotf, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Balotf, S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Proteogenomics of Blumeria hordei supports RNA and protein coding innovative potential derived from transposable elements

Some filamentous plant-pathogenic fungi have comparably large genome sizes within the fungal kingdom due to the proliferation of transposable elements (TEs). Blumeria hordei (Bh), the causal agent of the powdery mildew disease on barley, is a filamentous obligate biotrophic fungus. Compared to other ascomycetes, it contains a low number of genes but a high genomic TE content of approximately 75%. Yet, a comprehensive understanding of the contribution of TEs to the RNA and protein landscape of Bh is lacking. Here, we use Bh as a model to study transcripts and proteins derived from genes and individual TEs. Therefore, we created two high-quality genome assemblies of the German Bh isolate TUM1 and the Australian Bh isolate AUS1. We applied deep proteomics with mass spectrometry, long-read and short-read sequencing on both DNA and RNA. Based on these multi-omic resources, we completed nearly gapless genome assemblies, new gene and TE annotations, and effector predictions. Using long-read RNA sequencing, we detected extensive co-transcription of TEs and genes as TE-gene chimeric transcripts. We identified previously unpredicted splice variants or genes, partially supported by proteomics. The intergenic and TE genomic space of Bh TUM1 gives rise to thousands of transcripts and several novel TE-derived proteins that lack from previous TE protein predictions. Together, this supports an existing potential for expression of novel transcripts and proteins from highly abundant TEs in the Bh genome.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Potential virulence factors in Pyrenophora teres through label-free cellular proteomics analysis

Pyrenophora teres f. teres (Ptt) is the causative agent of net blotch diseases in barley and an economically important pathogen in the barley industry worldwide. To date, however, little is known about the protein expression profile of Ptt, which is important to understand the pathogen behaviour. In this study we report the first cellular proteomics analysis of Ptt. Label-free proteomics was used to quantify the protein expression levels of two parental and one of its progeny isolates from a Ptt cross, grown in culture. One parental isolate of the cross was virulent on the barley variety Prior while the other isolate was avirulent. The progeny isolate used in this study was also virulent on Prior. A total of 3,502 proteins were identified in samples of the three Ptt isolates, of which 99 were found only in the pathogenic isolates, while another 255 proteins were significantly more abundant in the pathogenic isolates compared to the non-pathogenic isolate. Gene ontology analyses of the significant proteins revealed that the proteins increased in pathogenic isolates were involved in fatty acid elongation, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, glycerophospholipid metabolism, nucleocytoplasmic transport, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism and metabolic pathways. These protein profiles and the bioinformatic analysis provide new biological information that can be utilised to better understand the pathogenicity of Ptt.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2026

QTL mapping and proteomic profiling of barley: insights into resistance and susceptibility to Pyrenophora teres f. teres

Pyrenophora teres f. teres (Ptt), the causal agent of net form net blotch disease in barley, is an economically important fungal pathogen worldwide. Understanding both host resistance mechanisms and pathogen virulence factors is essential for developing durable net form net blotch resistant barley cultivars. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was conducted using a cross between two Ptt isolates, one virulent on the barley cultivar Prior and the other being avirulent. A major QTL associated with virulence on Prior was detected on chromosome 5. A progeny isolate possessing this QTL, together with the two parental isolates, was subsequently used in the proteomic analyses. Label-free proteomics was used to quantify in planta the protein profile changes in Prior following inoculations with the virulent and avirulent parental Ptt isolates, and the virulent progeny isolate. Leaf samples were collected at two (D2) and five (D5) days post-inoculation, and proteomic analyses performed to identify proteins associated with host resistance and pathogen virulence. A dataset comprising 2,886 barley proteins and 51 Ptt proteins was analysed. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the barley Prior proteomes revealed distinct clustering based on resistance and susceptibility at D5, while D2 samples formed a separate cluster. The PCA of the Ptt proteomes identified separate clusters, one comprised of the D2 and D5 avirulent parental isolate and another cluster of the virulent isolates at D5 only. Gene ontology analysis of the Prior proteins that were significantly increased in the resistant compared to the susceptible groups revealed functional categories related to protein translation, biosynthesis and chloroplast activities. The proteins that were significantly increased in the susceptible compared to the resistant Prior group were associated with organic acid and carbohydrate metabolism. The proteomic profiles and bioinformatic analysis generated in our study provide novel insights into the molecular basis of resistance and virulence in the barley-P. teres pathosystem. Key messageThis study reveals the first in planta proteomic profiles of both barley and Pyrenophora teres f. teres, identifying unique virulence-associated proteins and host responses linked to resistance and susceptibility.

plant biology↗