Analysis of grapewine yellows and induced resistance to the disease using DNA microarrays

Grapevine yellows (GY) are known for last 50 years. Typical symptoms are leaf rolling and discoloration of veins and laminae, uneven or total lack of lignification of canes, flower abortion or berry withering. Control of phytoplasma consists of the control of vectors and sanitation of dormant planting material with hot water treatment. Factors determining the pathogenesis of both phytoplasmas as well as factors determining resistance of grapevine plants are poorly or not at all understood. DNA microarray technology is the method of choice for such experiments as it enables screening of few thousand genes in one experiment. We will study grapevine - Flavescence Doree / Bois Noire interaction as a model. For our experiments microarrays consisting of 320 oligonucleotides will be used. Gene expression will be followed in different stages of growth in leaves and roots of healthy, infected and recovered plants. Obtained data will be organised into suitable database and analysed. Selected genes with characteristic expression pattern obtained by microarray analysis will be chosen for further analysis by quantitative real-time PCR. The obtained knowledge will be used for development of more efficient strategies for biological control of grapevine yellows disease.