D3120: Exploring the gene expression profile of pea aphid salivary effectors in mycorrhizal colonized plant interactions

It is necessary to understand the communication between aphids and their host plants in order to develop new methods for reducing the detrimental effects of aphid feeding. Aphids rely on the successful absorption of phloem sap from plants, which they achieve by injecting a mixture of saliva and proteins into the plant. These proteins influence the plant to supply a larger quantity of nutrients to the aphid, making the plant more susceptible to feeding. In this study, we investigate the salivary transcriptome of pea aphids while feeding on Medicago truncatula plants highly colonized with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Aphids were allowed to feed on mycorrhizal plants for either six or twenty-four hours. After harvesting, we collected RNA from the heads of the aphids and the leaves of M. truncatula before sending it for RNA sequencing. An analysis of expression data will determine the effects of AM fungi on aphid feeding and the host plant at six- and twenty-four-hour intervals after feeding. The aim of this research is to gain a better understanding of the interkingdom signaling that occurs between aphids and host plants so that measures can be taken to reduce the damage caused by aphid infestations and protect crops.