Abstract:

【Objective】The objective of the experiment is to study the mechanisms of watermelon resistance to Fusarium oxysporum by investigating the expression profiles of the related genes in the incompatible interaction. 【Method】 A cDNA library of the watermelon root tissues induced by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveurn was constructed using the SMART protocol. The positive clones of the cDNA library were sequenced randomly and 3 895 desired ESTs were obtained for bioinformatics analysis. 【Result】 Total 1 756 unique sequences were annotated for the functions. Transcription factors, protein kinase, defence gene, shikimate-phenylpropanoid-lignin metabolism and JA biosynthesis were found in the incompatible interaction between watermelon and Fusarium oxysporum. 【Conclusion】 There were 36.3% of the annotated unique sequences had similar function with disease resistance and defense. This information showed us an elementary profile of the interaction mechanism between watermelon and Fusarium oxysporum. These results developed a good foundation for the further exploration of the interaction mechanism at the molecular level and the related important genes cloning.

Key words: Citrullus lanatus, Fusarium oxysporum, cDNA library, expressed sequence tags (EST)