| This experiment was designed to explore which genes and pathways Zea maize (corn) plants implore when physically wounded or attacked by Helicoverpa zea (corn earworm caterpillars). The experimental design was set up with three treatment groups: consisting of non-wounded plants, maize plants mechanically wounded with a hole punch and painted with water or labial salivary gland extract. The caterpillar saliva was obtained from extracting labial salivary glands from H. zea caterpillars. The leaf tissue was harvested after 24 hours for each of the three treatments. Total RNA was extracted, purified, amplified, and direct labeled using Cy-3 and Cy-5 dyes. The treatments were then analyzed using microarray technology. Approximately 254 known genes appeared to be significantly altered by the treatments. Fifty six genes were found to be significantly different between the saliva treatment and the water treatment. These genes include numerous defense genes, dehydration related genes, signaling pathways, volatile related genes, photosynthesis genes, metabolism related genes, and others. This datum is an indication of how complex and sophisticated plants' defensive mechanisms really are to herbivory. |
