Comparative transcriptome analysis of tomato cultivars pretreated with Laminarin reveals differential expression of defense-responsive genes against Early blight disease

Muthukumar, G.; Sowmiyarithika, S. P.; Mohana Prasad, J.; Arulvasu, C.; GODHANTARAMAN, N.; Muthamilarasan, M.; RADHAKRISHNAN, N.

doi:10.1101/2025.10.03.680217

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.10.03.680217

Comparative transcriptome analysis of tomato cultivars pretreated with Laminarin reveals differential expression of defense-responsive genes against Early blight disease

Muthukumar, G.·Sowmiyarithika, S. P.·Mohana Prasad, J.·Arulvasu, C.·GODHANTARAMAN, N.·Muthamilarasan, M.·RADHAKRISHNAN, N.

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Abstract

Eco-friendly measures to control disease progression are the need of the hour since chemical fungicides have been harmful to the environment. This study observed that the algal polysaccharide Laminarin triggers a defense response against early blight disease in both tolerant and susceptible tomato cultivars. A dose-dependent reduction in cell death was observed in tomato leaves pre-treated with 0.1% Laminarin and then infected with Alternaria solani in a susceptible and tolerant cultivar. As a result, 0.1% Laminarin was chosen for transcriptome analysis. Transcriptome analysis revealed the upregulation of defense-related genes, such as EF-hand domain-containing protein, Heat shock protein 70, Heat shock factor (HSF) type DNA binding domain-containing protein, Non-specific serine/threonine protein kinase, AP2/ERF domain-containing protein, Leucine-rich repeat-containing N-terminal plant type domain-containing protein, and Subtilisin-like protease. The study also validated the differentially expressed genes using qRT-PCR for bZIP, nsLTP, SKP1, and V-type ATPase genes. Overall, the study demonstrated that the algal polysaccharide Laminarin could induce defense-related genes and provide resistance against early blight disease in tomato plants. KEY MESSAGETomatoes defense-responsive genes showed differential expression in tolerant and susceptible cultivars when treated with laminarin, followed by Alternaria solani infection.

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Muthukumar, G., Sowmiyarithika, S. P., Mohana Prasad, J., Arulvasu, C., GODHANTARAMAN, N., Muthamilarasan, M., RADHAKRISHNAN, N.. 2025-10-05. Comparative transcriptome analysis of tomato cultivars pretreated with Laminarin reveals differential expression of defense-responsive genes against Early blight disease. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.03.680217

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