AUTHOR=Shan Xueyan , Williams W. Paul 

TITLE=Toward elucidation of genetic and functional genetic mechanisms in corn host resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=5

YEAR=2014

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2014.00364

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2014.00364

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Aflatoxins are carcinogenic mycotoxins produced by some species in the <italic>Aspergillus</italic> genus, such as <italic>A. flavus</italic> and <italic>A. parasiticus</italic>. Contamination of aflatoxins in corn profusely happens at pre-harvest stage when heat and drought field conditions favor <italic>A. flavus</italic> colonization. Commercial corn hybrids are generally susceptible to <italic>A. flavus</italic> infection. An ideal strategy for preventing aflatoxin contamination is through the enhancement of corn host resistance to <italic>Aspergillus</italic> infection and aflatoxin production. Constant efforts have been made by corn breeders to develop resistant corn genotypes. Significantly low levels of aflatoxin accumulation have been determined in certain resistant corn inbred lines. A number of reports of quantitative trait loci have provided compelling evidence supporting the quantitative trait genetic basis of corn host resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. Important findings have also been obtained from the investigation on candidate resistance genes through transcriptomics approach. Elucidation of molecular mechanisms will provide in-depth understanding of the host–pathogen interactions and hence facilitate the breeding of corn with resistance to <italic>A. flavus</italic> infection and aflatoxin accumulation.</p>