Transcriptomic Analysis of Tobacco Plants in Response to Whitefly Infection

Abstract

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is one of the most destructive pests worldwide, and causes tremendous economic losses. Tobacco Nicotiana tabacum serves as a model organism for studying fundamental biological processes and is severely damaged by whiteflies. Hitherto, our knowledge of how tobacco perceives and defends itself against whiteflies has been scare. In this study, we analyze the gene expression patterns of tobacco in response to whitefly infestation. A total of 244 and 2417 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at 12 h and 24 h post whitefly infestation, respectively. Enrichment analysis demonstrates that whitefly infestation activates plant defense at both time points, with genes involved in plant pattern recognition, transcription factors, and hormonal regulation significantly upregulated. Notably, defense genes are more intensely upregulated at 24 h post infestation than at 12 h, indicating an increased immunity induced by whitefly infestation. In contrast, genes associated with energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, ribosomes, and photosynthesis are suppressed, suggesting impaired plant development. Taken together, our study provides comprehensive insights into how plants respond to phloem-feeding insects, and offers a theoretical basis for better research on plant–insect interactions.