Comparative proteomic analysis of resistant and susceptible aromatic rice landraces in response to blast pathogen, Magnaporthe oryzae

Magnaporthe oryzae, the causative agent of rice blast disease, poses a significant threat to rice yield. Aromatic rice landraces offer significant variation in disease resistance. However, the mechanisms underlying these responses remain poorly understood. Understanding how these landraces respond to blast infection can contribute to developing effective strategies for disease control. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of protein profiles in two aromatic rice genotypes, 'Benugopal' (resistant) and 'Kalikati 2' (susceptible), with contrasting blast resistance using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. A total of 18 protein spots were identified as differentially expressed between the two genotypes, showing significant intensity differences at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h post-inoculation with M. oryzae. These differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were primarily associated with disease resistance, plant defense, signaling, stress response, growth, and development in rice. To validate protein expression changes at the transcript level, qRT-PCR was performed, revealing a positive correlation between mRNA levels and protein fold changes for eight selected genes. In conclusion, this study offers valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms driving the resistance of aromatic rice genotypes to M. oryzae infection.