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Concurrent Session

Session: Concurrent Session: Discrimination of friend from foe (2)

Regulatory architecture of disease resistance in maize revealed by multi-omic systems genetics

Wednesday, July 16, 2025
10:50 - 11:05  
Location: Room M+N

    Presenting Author(s)

  • JW

    Justin Walley

    Professor
    Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
    Ames, Iowa, United States

    • Author(s)

  • NC

    Natalie Clark

    Iowa State University
    Ames, Iowa, United States

  • GS

    Gaoyuan Song

    Iowa State University
    Ames, Iowa, United States

  • MK

    Mercy Kabahuma

    Iowa State University
    Ames, Iowa, United States

  • JK

    Judith Kolkman

    Cornell University
    Ithica, New York, United States

  • SC

    Shawn Christensen

    USDA
    Gainesville, Florida, United States

  • CM

    Christian Montes-Serey

    Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
    Ames, Iowa, United States

  • SM

    Shikha Malik

    Iowa State University
    Ames, Iowa, United States

  • RN

    Rebecca Nelson

    Cornell University
    Ithica, New York, United States

Abstract Text:

Complex traits such as disease resistance have been traditionally studied using quantitative genetics. Here, we use systems genetics to integrate disease severity and multi-omic quantitate trait loci (QTL) to uncover biological networks underlying interaction with northern leaf blight (NLB), a yield-limiting disease of maize. Specifically, we integrated transcriptome, (phospho)proteome, and metabolome measurements to map molecular QTL and build predictive regulatory networks following NLB infection. These inferred networks identified a critical signaling module that was genetically validated comprised of a kinase termed NLB SUSCEPTIBLE KINASE 1, a bHLH transcription factor, and the lignin biosynthesis enzyme BROWN MIDRIB 2. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of high-throughput mapping of genetic determinants of gene-product levels and demonstrates the power of systems genetics to identify upstream regulatory genes that confer resistance to NLB that can inform future strategies for crop protection.