1Scientific RepoRts |          (2019) 9:7007  | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43421-1
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Molecular Basis of Disease 
Resistance in Banana progenitor 
Musa balbisiana against 
Xanthomonas campestris pv. 
musacearum
Leena tripathi  1, Jaindra Nath tripathi1, trushar shah1, Kariuki samwel Muiruri1 & 
Manpreet Katari2
Banana Xanthomonas wilt disease, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm), is a 
major threat to banana production in east Africa. All cultivated varieties of banana are susceptible to 
Xcm and only the progenitor species Musa balbisiana was found to be resistant. the molecular basis of 
susceptibility and resistance of banana genotypes to Xcm is currently unknown. transcriptome analysis 
of disease resistant genotype Musa balbisiana and highly susceptible banana cultivar pisang Awak 
challenged with Xcm was performed to understand the disease response. The number of differentially 
expressed genes (DeGs) was higher in Musa balbisiana in comparison to pisang Awak. Genes associated 
with response to biotic stress were up-regulated in Musa balbisiana. the DeGs were further mapped to 
the biotic stress pathways. our results suggested activation of both pAMp-triggered basal defense and 
disease resistance (R) protein-mediated defense in Musa balbisiana as early response to Xcm infection. 
This study reports the first comparative transcriptome profile of the susceptible and resistant genotype 
of banana during early infection with Xcm and provide insights on the defense mechanism in Musa 
balbisiana, which can be used for genetic improvement of commonly cultivated banana varieties.
Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm), 
is one of the most devastating disease endangering the livelihood of millions of farmers in east Africa, which 
is the largest banana-producing and -consuming region in Africa1. The impacts of BXW disease are both rapid 
and extreme, unlike those of other diseases, which cause gradually increasing losses over years. The disease has 
caused estimated economic losses of about $2-8 billion over the decade and significant reductions in production 
have resulted in major price increases1. The disease affects all banana cultivars grown in east Africa2. Only diploid 
Musa balbisiana, which is a wild type banana native to Asia and one of the progenitors of modern cultivated 
bananas, was found to be resistant2.
Resistant cultivars could play an important role in controlling the BXW disease in east Africa, where the con-
sumption of bananas is highest in the world at 220 to 460 kg per person annually3. There is an ongoing project for 
developing transgenic bananas resistant to BXW using sweet pepper genes4. However, knowledge of resistance 
mechanism in Musa balbisiana against Xcm can be utilized for developing resistant varieties through cis-genesis 
using Musa genes associated with defense, or editing of genes related to susceptibility and/or negative regulation 
of plant immunity. Currently, there is no understanding about the molecular mechanism for disease resistance 
or susceptibility in response to Xcm infection. Therefore, to obtain insight into the molecular basis of disease 
resistance, the transcriptome-wide differential gene expression was investigated between the BXW-resistant gen-
otype Musa balbisiana and BXW-susceptible genotype Pisang Awak in response to Xcm. Further the differentially 
expressed transcripts were mapped to biotic stress pathways using Mapman to identify genes associated with 
defense mechanism.
1International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), P.O. Box 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. 2Department of Biology, 
New York University, New York, NY, United States. Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed 
to L.t. (email: L.tripathi@cgiar.org)
Received: 25 September 2018
Accepted: 23 April 2019
Published: xx xx xxxx
opeN
2Scientific RepoRts |          (2019) 9:7007  | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43421-1
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Results
RNA-seq and mapping of sequences to reference genome. In this study, RNA-Seq data from Xcm 
challenged and mock-inoculated BXW-susceptible banana genotype Pisang Awak and BXW-resistant genotype 
Musa balbisiana were analyzed for transcriptome comparison.
In total, about 559 million raw reads were generated from sequencing of 30 libraries using Illumina HiSeq™ 
2500. The majority of samples had average of 5–10 million reads that uniquely mapped to the reference 
Musa acuminata genome version 2. The raw reads were deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology 
Information Sequence Read Archive under project SRPRJNA401071 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Traces/
study/?acc=SRP116676).
Differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Readcounts for 35,238 annotated genes were loaded in R pro-
gram and genes with low expression were filtered out. This filtering step reduced the dataset to 26,676 genes. 
The DEGs were identified in DESeq2 using filtered readcount data. The data from two time points, 12 h post 
inoculation (hpi) and 48 hpi, were analyzed and a model was created to identify genes that were responding 
to the treatment with pathogen and also had an interaction with the genotypes. The design parameter (~geno-
type + treatment + genotype:treatment) was used for DESeq2. The genes with fold change of greater than 1.5 or 
<−1.5 were identified.
The numbers of DEGs were higher in BXW-resistant genotype Musa balbisiana in comparison to 
BXW-susceptible genotype Pisang Awak at both 12 hpi (1749 vs 4) and 48 hpi (245 vs 88) (Fig. 1A, Supplementary 
Tables S1–S4). Out of 1749 DEGs in Musa balbisiana, only 540 DEGs showed up-regulation and remaining 1209 
were down-regulated, whereas all four DEGs in Pisang Awak were found to be up-regulated (Fig. 1B).
The number of DEGs for Musa balbisiana was considerably higher at 12 hpi in comparison to 48 hpi (1749 vs 
245), in contrast a greater number of genes were differentially expressed at 48 hpi than at 12 hpi in Pisang Awak 
(88 vs 4) (Fig. 1B). In Musa balbisiana, 107/245 DEGs at 48 hpi were up-regulated, whereas only 33/88 DEGs were 
up-regulated in Pisang Awak at 48 hpi (Fig. 1B).
Several DEGs were observed due to genotype:treatment interactions (Supplementary Tables S5–S6). The dif-
ference in genotypes due to differences in treatment i.e. genotype:treatment interaction were observed to be 
higher at 12 hpi than 48 hpi.
Go-term analysis. To know the functional categories of DEGs, GO enrichment analysis was performed 
using GO-terms provided by the Banana Genome Hub and the GOStats. A Gene Set Enrichment dataset was 
created using Gene-to-GO association in the Banana Genome Hub and used for identifying GO-terms that were 
over-represented in a given gene list. Out of 26,676 filtered genes set, 13,699 corresponding proteins were associ-
ated with at least one GO term. The GO-term analysis was performed for all the DEGs in both banana genotypes 
at 12 hpi and 48 hpi. At 12 hpi, the GO-terms were mainly due to interaction of bacterial pathogen with host 
plants (Supplementary Table S7).
No significant GO-term enrichment was seen for Pisang Awak at 12 hpi, however, many GO-terms were 
enriched for Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi (Supplementary Table S7). The majority of GO-terms in Musa balbisiana 
were associated with ‘Defense response’ suggesting that BXW-resistant genotype respond to pathogen attack at 
very early stage. At 48 hpi, several GO-terms were found in Pisang Awak, whereas only one significant GO-term 
was obtained for Musa balbisiana (Supplementary Table S7).
Gene annotation and metabolic pathway analysis. The transcripts were annotated based on the 
genome of Musa acuminata version 2 and mapped to the biotic stress pathway in Mapman using the Mercator 
tool. Table 1 lists number of annotated genes aligned to different functional categories (BINs) in metabolic path-
ways in Mapman.
More number of genes were differentially expressed in BXW-resistant genotype in comparison to 
BXW-susceptible genotype due to interaction with Xcm at different time post inoculation (Table 1). The overview 
of genes mapped onto the biotic stress pathway at 12 hpi and 48 hpi for BXW-resistant and BXW-susceptible 
genotypes is illustrated in Fig. 2.
Figure 1. Graphs showing differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BXW-resistant wild type banana genotype 
Musa balbisiana and BXW-susceptible banana genotype Pisang Awak at 12 and 48 hours post-inoculation with 
Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. (A) Venn diagram showing comparison of DEGs in two genotypes at 
12 hpi and 48 hpi, (B) Graphs showing number of up or down-regulated DEGs.
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Stress associated genes were differentially expressed in both banana genotypes in response to Xcm. About 
25 genes associated with stress were up-regulated in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi, whereas only one gene, 
Germin-like protein (GER1), was activated in Pisang Awak at 12 hpi (Tables 1 and 2). Germin-like protein was 
also up-regulated in Musa balbisiana at 48 hpi. All stress-associated genes were suppressed in Pisang Awak at 48 
hpi (Table 1).
Several pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins were up-regulated and also many PR genes were suppressed in 
response to pathogen interaction with Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi (Fig. 2, Table 2).
Disease resistance (R) gene in leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family protein and putative disease resistance protein 
RPM1 were activated in Musa balbisiana as early response to pathogen at 12 hpi (Fig. 2, Table 2). Lipase-like 
PAD4 gene was also activated in Musa balbisiana at 48 hpi (Table 2). None of the R or PR genes were differentially 
expressed in BXW-susceptible genotype Pisang Awak as early response to pathogen infection (Fig. 2).
Transcript aligned with MLO-like protein 13 (MILDEW RESISTANCE LOCUS O 13) was suppressed in 
BXW-resistant Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi (Table 2).
Heat shock related transcripts were differentially expressed in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi (Fig. 2). HSP20-like 
chaperones superfamily associated genes were up-regulated in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi and as well as at 48 hpi 
(Table 2). However, genes associated with heat shock proteins were either not differentially expressed or sup-
pressed in Pisang Awak at 12 hpi and 48 hpi respectively (Fig. 2).
Bin Name
Pisang Awak at 12 hpi Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi Pisang Awak at 48 hpi Musa balbisiana at 48 hpi
Up- 
regulated
Down- 
regulated
Up- 
regulated
Down- 
regulated
Up- 
regulated
Down- 
regulated
Up- 
regulated
Down- 
regulated
1 Photosynthesis — — — — — — — —
2 Major carbohydrate metabolism — — 1 — — — 1 —
3 Minor carbohydrate metabolism 1 — — — — — — —
4 Glycolysis — — — — — — — —
5 Fermentation — — — — — — — —
6 Gluconeogenese/glyoxylate cycle — — — — — — — —
7 OPP cycle — — — — — — — —
8 TCA/orgin acid transformation — — — — — — — —
9 Mitochondrial electron transport/ATP synthesis — — — — — — — —
10 Cell wall — — — — — — — —
11 Lipid metabolism — — — — — — — —
12 N-metabolism — — — — — — — —
13 Amino acid metabolism — — 5 11 — — 1 —
14 S-assimilation — — — — — — — —
15 Metal handling — — 1 11 — — 1 —
16 Secondary metabolism — — 23 32 1 6 4 2
17 Hormone metabolism — — 32 78 — 2 4 8
18 Co-factor and vitamin metabolism — — 3 1 — — 1 —
19 Tetrapyrrole synthesis — — 1 — — — — —
20 Stress 1 — 25 49 — 3 4 3
21 Redox regulation — — 12 7 — 2 1 1
22 Polyamine metabolism — — 1 1 — — — —
23 Nucleotide metabolism — — 4 7 — — — 1
24 Biodegradation of xenobiotics — — 3 1 — — — —
25 C1-metabolism — — 1 3 — — — —
26 Miscellaneous — — 39 93 1 6 6 3
27 RNA 1 — 57 202 3 4 20 32
28 DNA — — 5 25 — 2 3 —
29 Protein — — 77 138 8 5 13 19
30 Signaling — — 25 125 4 2 10 12
31 Cell — — 14 46 1 2 4 4
32 Micro RNA, natural antisense — — — — — — — —
33 Development — — 21 37 — 3 1 9
34 Transport — — 31 48 2 1 6 5
35 Not assigned — — 147 301 13 21 31 45
36 C4-photosynthesis — — — — — — — —
Table 1. List of number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BXW-resistant banana genotype Musa 
balbisiana and BXW-susceptible banana genotype Pisang Awak mapped to different functional categories 
(BINs) in MapMan pathways.
4Scientific RepoRts |          (2019) 9:7007  | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43421-1
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Transcript associated with apoptosis regulator, BAG family molecular chaperone regulator 6-like was activated 
in Musa balbisiana upon pathogen attack at 12 hpi (Table 2).
The genes related to transcription factors were differentially expressed in both genotypes at 12 hpi and 48 hpi 
(Fig. 2, Table 2). The genes associated with transcription factors like MADS-box transcription factor family, MYB, 
WRKY, C2H2 zinc finger family, AP2/EREBP, heat shock transcription factor C1 (HSFC1), GRAS transcription 
factor family, auxin response factor (ARF) family, C2C2 family, homeobox transcription factor family and basic 
helix-loop-helix family (bHLH) were activated in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi. Some of the genes associated with 
transcription factors like MYB, trihelix, AP2/EREBY), bHLH and C2H2 were also up-regulated in Musa balbisi-
ana at 48 hpi. The MYB transcription factor was also activated in Pisang Awak at both 12 hpi and 48 hpi (Fig. 2, 
Table 2).
As early response to pathogen interaction in Musa balbisiana, several receptor-like kinases such as wall 
associated receptor kinases, LRR receptor kinases, LRK10 like receptor kinase, receptor kinase DUF26, were 
up-regulated at 12 hpi and similarly receptor kinases were also activated at 48 hpi (Fig. 3, Table 2). Other genes 
involved in signaling pathways like mitogen-associated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 
5-kinase family protein, G protein were also found to be up-regulated in Musa balbisiana (Table 2). However, 
none of signaling pathway-associated gene was differentially expressed in Pisang Awak at 12 hpi, whereas LRR 
receptor kinases and G protein were up-regulated at 48 hpi (Table 2).
Transcripts involved in redox regulation like glutaredoxins, peroxiredoxin, thioredoxins, ascorbate, glu-
tathione, catalases and heme family were up-regulated in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi (Fig. 2, Table 2). Also super-
oxide dismutase gene was induced in Musa balbisiana as response to pathogen interaction at 48 hpi. However, 
upon pathogen infection either the redox state was not affected or suppressed in Pisang Awak (Fig. 2). Peroxidases 
and glutathione S transferases (GSTs) were also differentially expressed in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi. Genes asso-
ciated with oxidative burst such as polyamine oxidase-like gene was induced in Musa balbisiana as early response 
(12 hpi) to Xcm.
As a result of plant-pathogen interaction, hormone metabolic pathways were activated in Musa balbisiana. 
Abscisic acid (ABA) metabolism was activated in Musa balbisiana at both 12 and 48 hpi (Fig. 2, Table 2). However, 
genes associated with ABA metabolism were not differentially expressed in Pisang Awak at 12 hpi and suppressed 
at 48 hpi (Fig. 2, Table 2). Genes associated with ninja family protein AFP3 was activated in Musa balbisiana at 12 
hpi. Genes associated with ethylene synthesis and signal transductions were differentially expressed in Musa bal-
bisiana at 12 hpi (Table 2). Ethylene pathway was suppressed in both genotypes at 48 hpi. Several genes associated 
Figure 2. Diagram showing differentially expressed genes in BXW-resistant and BXW-susceptible genotypes 
of banana after inoculation with Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum mapped onto known biotic stress 
pathway bins using Mapman. (A) BXW–resistant genotype Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi, (B) BXW-susceptible 
genotype Pisang Awak at 12 hpi, (C) BXW–resistant genotype Musa balbisiana at 48 hpi, (D) BXW-susceptible 
genotype Pisang Awak at 48 hpi. Figures were generated from Mapman. The scale is from down-regulated (blue) 
to up-regulated (red).
5Scientific RepoRts |          (2019) 9:7007  | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43421-1
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Gene ID from Musa acuminata 
(DH Pahang)
Gene ID from Musa balbisiana 
(Pisang Klutuk Wulung)
Log2 Fold 
Change Description
Pisang Awak at 12 hpi
Stress-related
Ma02_g20530 ITC1587_Bchr2_P04749 17.87 Germin-like protein 8–14, similar to germin 3 of Arabidopsis thaliana
Transcription factors
Ma05_g25630 ITC1587_Bchr5_P14199 18.46 MYB family transcription factor
Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
Disease Resistance and Pathogenesis-Related Protein
Ma09_g22650 ITC1587_Bchr9_P27517* 1.75 Probable leucine-rich repeat (LRR) disease resistance family protein
Ma09_g28690 ITC1587_Bchr9_P28091 1.05 Putative disease resistance protein RPM1, confers resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola 1
Ma04_g38470 ITC1587_Bchr4_P11526 4.6 Pathogenesis-related protein R major form precursor, involves in defense response to bacterium
Ma09_g05410 ITC1587_Bchr9_P25531* 2.52 Pathogenesis-related family protein
Ma05_g02080 ITC1587_Bchr5_P11835 0.68 NPR1-like protein 3 (NPR3), involves in defense response to bacterium
Ma03_g14510 ITC1587_Bchr3_P06402 −0.83 MLO-like protein 13
Heat shock protein
Ma09_g29150 ITC1587_Bchr9_P28137 3.36 Putative 26.5 kDa heat shock protein, HSP20-like chaperones, involves in response to response to hydrogen peroxide
Ma08_g24440 ITC1587_Bchr8_P24119 1.16 Class III heat shock protein
Ma01_g14540 ITC1587_Bchr1_P01860* 2.02 Class I heat shock protein, HSP20-like chaperones
Ma01_g10350 ITC1587_Bchr1_P01490 1.19 Putative small heat shock protein
Ma06_g13850 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15877 1.2 Stromal 70 kDa heat shock-related protein
Ma10_g14770 ITC1587_Bchr10_P30216 1.42 BAG family molecular chaperone regulator 6-like, involves in apoptosis after pathogen attack
Transcription factors
Ma04_g05410 ITC1587_Bchr4_P08866 3.0 MADS-box transcription factor family protein AGL61
Ma08_g04270 ITC1587_Bchr8_P21825 1.35 MADS-box transcription factor 14 (OsMADS14), APETALA1-like B
Ma09_g08260 ITC1587_Bchr9_P25771 1.31 MyB-related protein 308-like, encodes a R2R3 MYB protein, myb domain protein 4 (MYB4)
Ma10_g16050 ITC1587_Bchr10_P30324* 1.05 Transcription repressor MYB4, encodes a R2R3 MYB
Ma08_g20860 ITC1587_Bchr8_P23775 1.12 Transcription factor MYB1R1-like
Ma02_g23870 ITC1587_Bchr2_P05052 0.95 Putative Myb-related protein 306, encodes a R2R3 type Myb, myb domain protein 96 (MYB96)
Ma01_g01800 ITC1587_Bchr1_P00594 0.60 MYB-related transcription factor family
Ma04_g14250 ITC1587_Bchr4_P09682 0.65 WRKY transcription factor 4
Ma09_g06980 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15345* 0.79 WRKY transcription factor 75
Ma10_g30810 ITC1587_Bchr10_P31614 2.18 C2H2 zinc finger protein 4-like
Ma10_g07810 ITC1587_Bchr10_P29542 1.19 C2H2 zinc finger family
Ma09_g04220 ITC1587_Bchr9_P25437 1.32 Floral homeotic protein APETALA 2-like, AP2.7
Ma03_g05720 ITC1587_Bchr3_P05677 0.64 Putative Ethylene-responsive transcription factor 1
Ma07_g22730 ITC1587_Bchr7_P20906 1.86 Basic Helix-Loop-Helix family
Ma03_g17120 ITC1587_Bchr3_P06850 1.95 Heat shock transcription factor C1 (HSFC1)
Ma10_g27770 ITC1587_Bchr10_P31333 1.67 Heat shock transcription factor C1 (HSFC1)
Ma01_g09550 ITC1587_Bchr1_P01419* 2.16 GRAS transcription factor family
Ma06_g09030 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15445 1.31 Transcription factor, Auxin Response Factor (ARF)
Ma04_g37190 ITC1587_Bchr4_P11429 1.18 Zinc finger protein CONSTANS-LIKE 16-like, transcription factor C2C2(Zn) CO-like
Ma11_g07820 ITC1587_Bchr11_P32446 1.01 Transcription factor C2C2(Zn) CO-like
Ma04_g07150 ITC1587_Bchr4_P09012 2.02 Homeobox transcription factor family
Ma06_g08780 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15417 1.0 Homeobox transcription factor family
Ma09_g14370 ITC1587_Bchr9_P26312 1.19 Homeobox transcription factor family
Receptor-like kinases
Ma02_g12690 ITC1587_Bchr2_P04089* 4.90 Wall-associated kinase 2 (WAK2)
Ma02_g12710 ITC1587_Bchr2_P04072* 4.17 Wall associated kinase 5 (WAK5)
Ma04_g18790 ITC1587_Bchr4_P10336 3.58 Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase family
Ma08_g08120 ITC1587_Bchr8_P22166 1.3 Leucine-rich receptor-like protein kinase HSL1
Ma09_g08850 ITC1587_Bchr9_P25823 1.16 LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase
Ma10_g09280 ITC1587_Bchr7_P20253* 0.91 Leucine-rich repeat transmembrane protein kinase
Ma03_g30610 ITC1587_Bchr3_P08112* 2.12 Receptor-like protein kinase, wheat LRK10 like
Ma01_g14090 ITC1587_Bchr1_P00623* 0.92 Receptor-like protein kinase DUF 26
Signaling pathways
Ma04_g04500 ITC1587_Bchr4_P08787 0.89 Mitogen-activated protein kinase 2
Continued
6Scientific RepoRts |          (2019) 9:7007  | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43421-1
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Gene ID from Musa acuminata 
(DH Pahang)
Gene ID from Musa balbisiana 
(Pisang Klutuk Wulung)
Log2 Fold 
Change Description
Ma02_g08740 ITC1587_Bchr2_P03721 2.23 Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase 6-like
Ma05_g17450 ITC1587_Bchr5_P13538 0.91 Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase
Ma05_g06670 ITC1587_Bchr5_P12277 1.07 G-proteins rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 8-like
Ma08_g10000 ITC1587_Bchr8_P22338* 0.97 Putative protein pleiotropic regulator PRL2, essential for plant innate immunity
Ma09_g08850 ITC1587_Bchr9_P25823 0.99 Nodulation receptor kinase-like
Ma10_g09280 ITC1587_Bchr7_P20253* 0.91 Leucine-rich repeat transmembrane protein kinase
Ma08_g08120 ITC1587_Bchr8_P22166 1.31 Leucine-rich receptor-like protein kinase family protein HSL1
Ma10_g14170 ITC1587_Bchr10_P30158 1.37 Pseudo histidine-containing phosphotransfer protein 2
Redox regulation
Ma06_g26670 ITC1587_Bchr6_P17425 1.88 Polyamine oxidase-like
Ma01_g07400 ITC1587_Bchr6_P17629* 3.21 Glutaredoxin family GRX480 involved in SA/JA cross-talk
Ma10_g29540 ITC1587_Bchr10_P31495 1.09 WCRKC thioredoxin 1 involved in cell redox homeostasis
Ma01_g02150 ITC1587_Bchr1_P00623* 1.49 Ascorbate-specific transmembrane electron transporter 1
Ma10_g11130 ITC1587_Bchr10_P29903 0.99 GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase 1, defense response to bacterium by callose deposition in cell wall
Ma10_g15710 ITC1587_Bchr10_P30300 1.04 Heme-binding-like protein
Ma05_g15800 ITC1587_Bchr5_P13135 1.23 Catalase isozyme 2, a peroxisomal catalase
Ma11_g19280 ITC1587_Bchr11_P33899 1.68 1-Cys peroxiredoxin (PER1)
Ma06_g19640 ITC1587_Bchr6_P16418 1.31 Glutaredoxin involved in cell redox homeostasis
Hormone metabolism
Absciscisic acid (ABA)
Ma04_g19490 ITC1587_Bchr4_P10415 1.29 Putative probable carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 4
Ma03_g33240 ITC1587_Bchr3_P08330 0.94 Protein phosphatase 2C 51
Ma03_g18730 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P38210 1.21 Probable protein phosphatase 2C 9
Ma07_g20270 ITC1587_Bchr7_P20689 0.64 Zeaxanthin epoxidase involved in first step of ABA biosynthesis
Ma04_g10140 ITC1587_Bchr4_P09286 0.61 Cytosolic short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase involved in the conversion of xanthoxin to ABA-aldehyde during ABA biosynthesis
Ma03_g06930 ITC1587_Bchr3_P05785 0.75 Leucine zipper transcription factor that binds to ABA responsive element (ABRE) motif in the promoter region of ABA-inducible genes
Ma04_g39350 ITC1587_Bchr4_P11595 3.36 Ninja-family protein AFP3-like
Ethylene
Ma06_g14430 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P38187 5.40 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase
Ma11_g16580 ITC1587_Bchr11_P33656* 2.05 Ethylene receptor
Ma04_g03160 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P39147* 1.16 Methylesterase 3
Auxin
Ma01_g11950 ITC1587_Bchr1_P01647 3.06 Auxin-induced protein 15A-like
Ma06_g06990 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15254 1.46 UDP-glucose:indole-3-acetate beta-D-glucosyltransferase
Ma06_g07000 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15254* 1.45 UDP-glucosyltransferase
Ma06_g07010 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15256 1.067 UDP-glucosyltransferase
Ma05_g18810 ITC1587_Bchr5_P13157* 1.34 IN2-2 protein-like
Jasmonic acid
Ma03_g11520 ITC1587_Bchr3_P06219 1.53 Linoleate 13S-lipoxygenase 2-1 required for wound-induced jasmonic acid accumulation
Ma07_g12340 ITC1587_Bchr7_P19705 1.10 Protein TIFY 6b involved in jasmonic acid mediated signaling pathway
Secondary Metabolites
Ma06_g06860 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P38862 5.46 Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase involved in isoprenoid biosynthesis
Ma06_g25700 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P39673 1.39 Terpenoid cyclases, alpha-terpineol synthase
Ma04_g12630 ITC1587_Bchr4_P09530 1.37 Probable homogentisate phytyltransferase 1 involved in tocopherol biosynthesis
Ma04_g33020 ITC1587_Bchr4_P11074 2.30 Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (CAD1) involved in lignin biosynthetic process
Ma07_g07170 ITC1587_Bchr7_P19196 5.04 Mannitol dehydrogenase
Ma02_g17740 ITC1587_Bchr2_P04501 1.11 UDP-glycosyltransferase 73C2
Ma05_g05930 ITC1587_Bchr5_P12213 1.92 UDP-glycosyltransferase 73C6-like
Ma11_g02650 ITC1587_Bchr11_P31934 1.39 Naringenin, 2-oxoglutarate 3-dioxygenase, involved in response to fungus and bacterium, flavonoid biosynthetic process
Ma04_g33310 ITC1587_Bchr4_P11096 1.60 Malonyl-coenzyme A: anthocyanin 3-O-glucoside-6”-O-malonyltransferase
Continued
7Scientific RepoRts |          (2019) 9:7007  | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43421-1
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Gene ID from Musa acuminata 
(DH Pahang)
Gene ID from Musa balbisiana 
(Pisang Klutuk Wulung)
Log2 Fold 
Change Description
ma06_g13940 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15886 1.28 Nicotinamidase 1 (NIC1) involved in the pyridine nucleotide salvage pathway which is connected to the de novo NAD biosynthesis through the ABA signaling pathway
Transporters
Ma08_g00630 ITC1587_Bchr8_P21529 −7.31 Bidirectional sugar transporter SWEET14-like
Ma11_g13300 ITC1587_Bchr11_P33322 −5.98 Early nodulin-like protein 3
Ma06_g07960 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15344 −1.91 Early nodulin-like protein 1
E3 ubiquitin ligase
Ma07_g03310 ITC1587_Bchr7_P18846 −2.99 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase PUB23-like
Ma07_g03320 ITC1587_Bchr7_P18846* −4.02 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase PUB22
Ma05_g17000 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P35437 −0.93 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase RMA1H1-like
Ma05_g16120 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P35166 −2.08 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase RHA1B-like
Ma09_g05070 ITC1587_Bchr9_P25505 −2.73 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase RHA2B
Ma08_g12080 ITC1587_Bchr8_P22539 −4.23 RING-H2 finger protein ATL1-like
Ma03_g14160 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P35655 −1.10 RING-H2 finger protein ATL16-like
Ma10_g24780 ITC1587_Bchr10_P31078 −1.26 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase ATL6-like
Ma07_g16650 ITC1587_Bchr7_P20364 −1.55 RING-H2 finger protein ATL2-like
Ma04_g27580 ITC1587_Bchr5_P13665* −1.56 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase ATL4-like
Miscellaneous
Ma04_g03310 ITC1587_Bchr4_P08682 1.23 Glucan endo-1,3-beta-glucosidase
Ma06_g08050 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15353 1.18 Peptidase family M48 involved in proteolysis
Ma07_g03700 ITC1587_Bchr7_P18873 1.24 Allantoate deiminase involved in proteolysis
Ma11_g20890 ITC1587_Bchr11_P34045 1.03 Serine carboxypeptidase-like 18, involved in proteolysis
Ma03_g11210 ITC1587_Bchr3_P06202* 1.46 Subtilisin-like protease involved in proteolysis
Ma04_g35970 ITC1587_Bchr4_P11328 2.26 Subtilisin-like protease involved in proteolysis
Ma11_g20890 ITC1587_Bchr11_P34045 1.03 Serine carboxypeptidase-like 18, involved in proteolysis
Ma08_g04840 ITC1587_Bchr8_P21878 1.45 Zinc metalloprotease EGY3, involved in response to hydrogen peroxide
Anti-microbial
Ma03_g31180 ITC1587_Bchr3_P08153 5.44 Vicilin-like antimicrobial peptides 2–2
Pisang Awak at 48 hpi
Transcription factors
Ma10_g18840 ITC1587_Bchr10_P30560* 0.88 Transcription factor MYB88
Receptor-like kinases
Ma08_g16960 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P38061* 1.4 LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase
Ma07_g16540 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P38061 1.21 LRR transmembrane protein kinase, SHR5-receptor-like kinase
Ma04_g24750 ITC1587_Bchr1_P00475 0.78 LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase
Signaling pathways
Ma03_g07190 ITC1587_Bchr10_P30745* 0.64 G protein, translation factor GUF1 homolog
E3 ubiquitin ligase
Ma04_g13930 ITC1587_Bchr4_P09646 −1.04 Putative E3 ubiquitin ligase BIG BROTHER/
Miscellaneous
Ma03_g26960 ITC1587_Bchr3_P07815 0.61 Serine carboxypeptidase-like 18, involved in proteolysis
Ma03_g29980 ITC1587_Bchr3_P08046* 0.96 Carboxyl-terminal peptidase
Ma11_g15300 ITC1587_Bchr5_P13764* 0.62 Prolyl Oligopeptidase, involved in proteolysis
Ma03_g26960 ITC1587_Bchr3_P07815 0.61 Serine carboxypeptidase-like, involved in proteolysis
Ma09_g06030 ITC1587_Bchr9_P25584 1.40 Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2
Musa balbisiana at 48 hpi
Stress-related
Ma02_g20530 ITC1587_Bchr2_P04749 16.16 Germin-like protein 8–14
Disease resistance (R) and Pathogenesis-related (PR)
Ma06_g14360 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15924 1.94 Lipase-like PAD4
Heat Shock
Ma08_g29620 ITC1587_Bchr8_P24584* 3.03 Class IV heat shock protein-like
Transcription factors
Continued
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with jasmonate (JA) metabolism were up-regulated in Musa balbisiana at both 12 hpi and 48 hpi (Table 2). The 
salicylic acid (SA) pathway was repressed in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi (Fig. 2). However, no change was observed 
in JA and SA metabolism in Pisang Awak. Several genes associated with auxin metabolism were up-regulated in 
Musa balbisiana at both 12 hpi and 48 hpi (Table 2).
Genes associated with beta-glucanases were found to be differentially expressed in Musa balbisiana. Only one 
transcript associated with β-1,3-glucan hydrolase was activated in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi and 48 hpi (Table 2). 
All other β-1,3 glucan hydrolase genes were suppressed in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi. Upon pathogen attack, tran-
scripts associated with proteolysis were also differentially expressed in Musa balbisiana at both 12 hpi and 48 hpi 
and Pisang Awak at 48 hpi.
Also, production of several secondary metabolites was activated in Musa balbisiana in response to pathogen 
infection at both 12 hpi and 48 hpi. Activation of isoprenoids, lignin biosynthesis, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, 
terpenoids was observed in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi (Fig. 4, Table 2). The wax synthesis was activated at 48 hpi 
and suppressed at 12 hpi in Musa balbisiana. Lignin biosynthesis, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids pathways were 
suppressed in Pisang Awak (Fig. 4).
In response to bacterial infection, vicilin-like antimicrobial peptide was activated in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi 
(Table 2).
Genes associated with transporters of peptides and oligopeptides, proteins, aminoacids, sugars, metals, potas-
sium, metabolites and ABC transporters and multidrug resistance systems were differentially expressed in Musa 
balbisiana at 12 hpi and 48 hpi. Gene associated with bidirectional sugar transporter SWEET14-like was signifi-
cantly suppressed in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi (Table 2). Transporters for v-ATPases and ABC transporters and 
multidrug resistance systems were also differentially expressed in Pisang Awak at 48 hpi.
Early nodulin like proteins were suppressed in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi (Table 2).
Gene ID from Musa acuminata 
(DH Pahang)
Gene ID from Musa balbisiana 
(Pisang Klutuk Wulung)
Log2 Fold 
Change Description
Ma01_g17260 ITC1587_Bchr1_P02266 3.12 Transcription factor MYB86, myb domain protein 61 (MYB61)
Ma01_g18330 ITC1587_Bchr1_P02164 1.92 Trihelix transcription factor GTL1-like
Ma09_g16130 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P36803 0.84 AP2-like ethylene-responsive transcription factor
Ma07_g04810 ITC1587_Bchr7_P18970 1.33 Transcription factor MYC2, basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) DNA-binding family protein
Ma06_g05210 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15106 0.92 Putative ZOS4-07 - C2H2 zinc finger protein
Receptor-like kinases
Ma03_g20500 ITC1587_Bchr3_P07270 1.86 LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase RPK2
Ma04_g39220 ITC1587_Bchr4_P11583 1.86 Receptor-like protein kinase
Ma09_g12980 ITC1587_Bchr9_P26183 1.39 LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase
Signaling pathways
Ma02_g10140 ITC1587_Bchr2_P03841* 2.59 Zinc finger Ran-binding domain-containing protein 2-like
Ma02_g02010 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P34585
Ma02_g24350 ITC1587_Bchr2_P05093 1.18 DELLA protein SLR1
Ma09_g24360 ITC1587_Bchr9_P27692 1.0 Glutamate receptor 3.3
Redox regulation
Ma03_g19080 ITC1587_Bchr3_P07100 1.27 Superoxide dismutase, defense response to bacterium
Hormone
Absciscisic acid (ABA)
Ma07_g00090 ITC1587_Bchr7_P18560 0.76 HSI2-like 1 (HSL1), B3 domain-containing protein
Jasmonic acid
Ma03_g11520 ITC1587_Bchr3_P06219 1.34 Linoleate 13S-lipoxygenase 2-1
Auxin
Ma06_g01320 ITC1587_Bchr11_P32703 6.78 Putative auxin efflux carrier component 8
Secondary Metabolites
Ma09_g29570 ITC1587_Bchr9_P28175 1.46 Nicotianamine aminotransferase A involve in tocopherol biosynthesis
Ma08_g04050 ITC1587_Bchr8_P21808 3.76 Putative 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase 17 involve in wax metabolism
Ma10_g20730 ITC1587_Bchr10_P30723 1.28 Tryptophan aminotransferase-related protein 2 involved in IAA biosynthesis
E3 ubiquitin ligase
Ma06_g35270 ITC1587_Bchr6_P18218 0.93 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase SDIR1
Miscellaneous
Ma09_g26260 ITC1587_Bchr9_P27875 1.05 Glucan endo-1,3-beta-glucosidase 8
Table 2. Details of the major differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BXW-resistant banana genotype Musa 
balbisiana and BXW-susceptible banana genotype Pisang Awak upon pathogen attack. Note: Gene IDs from 
Musa balbisiana are based on the results of the reciprocal best BLAST search. The best BLAST hit is reported for 
the genes where the reciprocal best BLAST search hit was not available and it is denoted with*.
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Genes associated with E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases were differentially expressed in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi 
and 48 hpi (Table 2). Several of the E3 ubiquitin ligases such as PUB22, PUB23, RMA1H1, Ring 1, ATL-4, RHA1B, 
RHA2B, were down-regulated in Musa balbisiana. E3 ubiquitin ligase BIG BROTHER-like was down-regulated 
in Pisang Awak at 48 hpi.
Genes involved in metabolic pathways like cytochrome P450 were found to be up-regulated as well as 
down-regulated in Musa balbisiana at both 12 hpi and 48 hpi. However cytochrome P450 pathway was sup-
pressed in Pisang Awak at 48 hpi.
Figure 3. Diagram showing mapping of the transcripts associated with receptor-like-kinases in the BXW-
resistant genotype Musa balbisiana at 12 hours post-inoculation with Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. 
Figure was generated from Mapman. The scale is from down-regulated (blue) to up-regulated (red).
Figure 4. Diagram showing differentially expressed genes mapped to secondary metabolic pathways in BXW-
resistant and BXW-susceptible genotypes of banana in response to interaction with Xanthomonas campestris 
pv. musacearum. (A) BXW–resistant genotype Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi, (B) BXW–resistant genotype Musa 
balbisiana at 48 hpi, (C) BXW-susceptible genotype Pisang Awak at 48 hpi. Figures were generated from 
Mapman. The scale is from down-regulated (blue) to up-regulated (red).
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Validation of RNA-seq data for selected genes by qRt-pCR analysis. The results of RNA-Seq anal-
ysis was validated by quantitative RT- PCR (qRT-PCR) using a set of 30 annotated genes differentially expressed 
in response to Xcm infection in Musa balbisiana and Pisang Awak (Table 3). The differential expression was 
confirmed by qRT-PCR for some of the genes involved in plant defense such as antimicrobial peptide vicilin, 
R genes (RPM1, LRR disease resistance family), PR genes, transcription factors (MYB, MADS-box, WRKY), 
receptor like kinases (wall associated receptor kinases and LRR receptor kinase), redox associated genes (pol-
yamine oxidases), genes involved in signaling pathways (phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase 6 like), E3 
ubiquitin ligase and germin-like protein. The expression of genes involved in hormone metabolism such as ABA 
pathway (carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 4), ethylene pathway (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase), 
auxin metabolism (auxin-induced protein 15A-like) and jasmonic acid pathway (linoleate 13S-lipoxygenase 
2-1), alpha-galactosidase, sugar transporter gene (SWEET14), early nodulin-like protein, and genes involved 
in secondary metabolites like lignin biosynthesis (cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 1) and starch biosynthesis 
(glucose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase large subunit 1-like) was also corroborated.
The comparison of RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR showed similar trends of expression for candidate transcripts but 
difference in magnitude (Fig. 5). Pearson correlation indicated that the RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR were strongly cor-
related (r = 0.64, P = 0.00012). The differences in the fold change observed between the RNA-seq and qRT-PCR 
results might be due to analysis of independent samples and using different algorithms.
Discussion
BXW is the most important production constraint of banana affecting livelihood of millions of people in east 
Africa. The wild type banana progenitor Musa balbisiana has resistance to BXW, whereas all cultivated banana 
varieties including commercial Cavendish varieties are susceptible. Currently, molecular basis of resistance 
and susceptibility of banana to Xcm is unknown. Therefore, transcriptome profiles of BXW-resistant and 
BXW-susceptible banana genotypes challenged with Xcm were compared to better understand molecular mech-
anism of resistance or susceptibility of banana upon bacterial infection. In presence of Xcm, resistant genotype 
showed higher number of DEGs at 12 hpi in comparison to 48 hpi, suggesting that defense pathways were acti-
vated by pathogen infection as early as 12 hpi.
Plants defend themselves against pathogens by activating defense mechanisms, including hypersensitive 
response (HR), induction of genes encoding PR, antimicrobial peptides, generation of reactive oxygen species 
(ROS), and enforcement of the cell wall.
Up-regulation of vicilin-like AMP in Musa balbisiana after artificial inoculation with Xcm suggested its 
involvement in plant defense and suppression of bacterial population like action of other AMPs. Vicilin-like 
AMPs are plant derived α-amylase inhibitors having antibacterial and antifungal activity5.
Once plants recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through pattern-recognition recep-
tors (PRRs), series of reactions are activated leading to PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) as first line of plant 
immunity or basal defense. E3 ubiquitin ligase plays important role in PTI6. Suppression of E3 ubiquitin ligases 
PUB22 and PUB23 in BXW-resistant genotype Musa balbisiana in response to Xcm was in agreement with pre-
vious report demonstrating role of E3 ubiquitin ligases (PUB22, PUB23, and PUB24) as negative regulators of 
PTI in Arabidopsis6.
Receptor-like kinases act as PRRs, which recognize pathogens as the first layer of inducible defense. Our 
results showed activation of several receptor like kinases and receptor kinases in BXW-resistant genotype, indi-
cating their role in plant defense (Table 2). WAKs are known to be involved in plant development and defense. 
AtWAK1 and AtWAK2 are reported to be involved in cell wall expansion7. OsWAK14, which is similar to WAK2, 
was reported to be positive regulator of blast resistance in rice8. LRR-RKs recognizes the pathogen effectors and 
induces innate immunity. Receptor kinase DUF26 also might have been involved in induction of disease resist-
ance as previously reported that cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (CRKs) containing DUF26 motif in their 
extracellular domains are involved in stress resistance9. The previous report demonstrating that AtLRK10L1.2, 
Arabidopsis ortholog of wheat LRK10 is involved in ABA-mediated signaling10, suggested that up-regulation of 
LRK10 like receptor kinase in Musa balbisiana should have activated the ABA signaling pathway.
PTI involves activation of oxidative burst, MAPK activity and transcription factors, preventing coloni-
zation of pathogen in host cells and providing disease resistance. MAPK cascades are major plant plasma 
membrane-localized PRRs, signaling early basal defense responses against pathogen infection11. In this study, 
activation of MAPK in Musa balbisiana indicated that up-regulation of MAPK cascades in the BXW-resistant 
genotype might have signaled early defense responses, including generation of ROS and HR leading to program 
cell death.
Upon pathogen attack, plant cell changes its redox state as one of the earliest immune responses and induces 
HR and programmed cell death12. In this study, differential expression of several genes associated with redox 
state was observed in BXW-resistant genotype Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi as early response to Xcm infection, 
whereas no change in redox state was detected in BXW-susceptible genotype Pisang Awak at 12 hpi (Table 2). 
In response to pathogen, plants produce ROS including superoxide, hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide, 
which trigger HR and also induces lignification and signal transduction pathways and leading to programmed 
cell death13. Several heat shock proteins were also activated in Musa balbisiana in response to ROS particularly 
H2O2 accumulation.
Our results demonstrated activation of polyamine oxidases and peroxidases involved in ROS14,15 in 
BXW-resistant genotype Musa balbisiana as early response to Xcm attack indicating induction of programmed 
cell death. Similar increase in polyamine enzymatic activity is reported in barley (Hordeum vulgare) during HR 
in response to powdery mildew16.
During plant-pathogen interaction, the response starts from the cell wall followed by activation of signaling 
pathway leading to disease resistance. In this study, lignin biosynthesis was activated in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi, 
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indicating cell wall reinforcement (Fig. 4). The cytochrome P450 involved in the lignin biosynthetic pathway was 
also up-regulated in the BXW-resistant genotype leading activation of lignin accumulation. Lignin plays impor-
tant role in plant defense as demonstrated that deposition of lignin provided resistance to Verticillium dahliae in 
Camelina sativa and to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in cotton17,18. Lignin or lignin-like phenolic polymers are rapidly 
deposited upon pathogen attack creating physical barrier to pathogen invasion and makes the cell wall more 
resistant to cell wall degrading enzymes19. We also observed up-regulation of phenylpropanoid pathway respon-
sible for lignin biosynthesis in Musa balbisiana (Fig. 4).
Our result was similar to the previous reports, in which genes encoding cytochrome P450 were highly induced 
in disease resistant cauliflower, pepper and grapevines in response to bacterial pathogen infection20–22. The 
cytochrome P450 superfamily is involved in several biochemical pathways leading to the production of primary 
and secondary metabolites. Our result confirmed induction of cytochrome P450, which might have led to signif-
icantly high production of secondary metabolites in Musa balbisiana in response to pathogen infection.
We also observed significant up-regulation of peroxidases as early defense response against Xcm in Musa 
balbisiana (Fig. 2). Plant peroxidases play important role in defense mechanism by reinforcing the cell wall in 
response to pathogen attack, lignin and suberin formation, catalyzing cross-links between phenolic compounds 
in the secondary walls and polysaccharides, synthesis of phytoalexins, participating in the metabolism of ROS, 
activating HR at the infection site and restricting the spread of pathogen23.
Our results demonstrated up-regulation of several transcription factors in Musa balbisiana (Fig. 2, Table 2). 
Transcription factors respond to biotic stress by altering the expression of a cascade of defense genes. C2H2 
zinc-finger transcription factors are known to function as a pathogen-induced early-defense gene in Capsicum 
annuum24.
Gene ID from 
Musa acuminata 
(DH Pahang)
Gene ID from Musa balbisiana 
(Pisang Klutuk Wulung) Description Genotype and time point
1 Ma02_g20530 ITC1587_Bchr2_P04749 Germin-like protein 8–14 Pisang Awak at 12 hpi
2 Ma05_g25630 ITC1587_Bchr5_P14199 MYB family transcription factor Pisang Awak at 12 hpi
3 Ma02_g12480 ITC1587_Bchr1_P00003* Alpha-galactosidase-like Pisang Awak at 12 hpi
4 Ma06_g26670 ITC1587_Bchr6_P17425 Polyamine oxidase-like Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
5 Ma03_g31180 ITC1587_Bchr3_P08153 Vicilin-like antimicrobial peptides 2–2 Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
6 Ma09_g22650 ITC1587_Bchr9_P27517* Leucine-rich repeat (LRR) disease resistance family protein Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
7 Ma09_g28690 ITC1587_Bchr9_P28091 Putative disease resistance protein RPM1 Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
8 Ma04_g38470 ITC1587_Bchr4_P11526 Pathogenesis-related R protein Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
9 Ma09_g05410 ITC1587_Bchr9_P25531* Pathogenesis-related family protein Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
10 Ma09_g08260 ITC1587_Bchr9_P25771 MyB-related protein 308-like, encodes a R2R3 MYB protein, myb domain protein 4 (MYB4) Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
11 Ma04_g05410 ITC1587_Bchr4_P08866 MADS-box transcription factor family protein Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
12 Ma02_g12690 ITC1587_Bchr2_P04089* Wall-associated kinase 2 (WAK2) Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
13 Ma02_g12710 ITC1587_Bchr2_P04072* Wall associated kinase 5 (WAK5) Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
14 Ma04_g18790 ITC1587_Bchr4_P10336 Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase family Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
15 Ma04_g19490 ITC1587_Bchr4_P10415 Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 4 Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
16 Ma06_g14430 ITC1587_BchrUn_random_P38187 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
17 Ma02_g08740 ITC1587_Bchr2_P03721 Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase 6-like Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
18 Ma01_g11950 ITC1587_Bchr1_P01647 Auxin-induced protein 15A-like Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
19 Ma04_g33020 ITC1587_Bchr4_P11074 Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (CAD1) involved in lignin biosynthetic process Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
20 Ma07_g03320 ITC1587_Bchr7_P18846* E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase PUB22 Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
21 Ma07_g08690 ITC1587_Bchr7_P19375 Putative Probable WRKY transcription factor 72 Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
22 Ma08_g00630 ITC1587_Bchr8_P21529 Bidirectional sugar transporter SWEET14-like Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
23 Ma11_g13300 ITC1587_Bchr11_P33322 Early nodulin-like protein 3 Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
24 Ma04_g02930 ITC1587_Bchr4_P08659 Glucose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase large subunit 1-like Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
25 Ma08_g16700 ITC1587_Bchr6_P15616* Protein MOTHER of FT and TF 1-like Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
26 Ma08_g29360 ITC1587_Bchr8_P24561 Uncharacterized LOC103995997 Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
27 Ma10_g12750 ITC1587_Bchr5_P14061* Uncharacterized LOC104000771 Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi
28 Ma01_g17260 ITC1587_Bchr1_P02266 Transcription factor MYB86, myb domain protein 61 Musa balbisiana at 48 hpi
29 Ma03_g11520 ITC1587_Bchr3_P06219 Linoleate 13S-lipoxygenase 2-1 Musa balbisiana at 48 hpi
30 Ma02_g09860 ITC1587_Bchr2_P03815 Uncharacterized protein C24B11.05-like Musa balbisiana at 48 hpi
Table 3. Details of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) used for qRT-PCR analysis for validation of RNA-
Seq fold changes in Pisang Awak and Musa balbisiana in response to artificial inoculation with Xanthomonas 
campestris pv. musacearum. Note: Gene IDs from Musa balbisiana are based on the results of the reciprocal best 
BLAST search. The best BLAST hit is reported for the genes where the reciprocal best BLAST search hit was not 
available and it is denoted with*.
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In response to pathogen infection, MYB106 and MYB88 were up-regulated in BXW-susceptible genotype 
Pisang Awak. MYB106 is reported to be a negative regulator of trichome branching and positive regulator pho-
tosynthesis and growth25,26. MYB88 is involved in stomatal development as well as regulation in abiotic stress 
responses and female reproductive development27. However, role of MYB88 and MYB106 in plant defense is not 
known. Up-regulation of MYB4, MYB61 and MYB96 was observed in Musa balbisiana after infection with Xcm 
(Fig. 2). MYB4 is associated with protection against UV and MYB61 regulates several aspects of plant growth and 
development28,29. MYB96 was reported to be involved in regulation of lateral root growth in response to drought 
stress by activating the ABA-auxin signaling network30.
In this study, ERF transcription factor was also activated in the BXW-resistant genotype in response to 
pathogen infection (Fig. 2). The APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor (AP2/ERF) family is one of the largest 
transcription factor families involved in defense responses against various pathogens31. AP2-mediated disease 
resistance was demonstrated in Arabidopsis and tomato against Botrytis cinerea and Ralstonia solanacearum, 
respectively32–34. AP2 mediated defense responses are linked to hormones such as jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene 
(ET)31, which was also noticed in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi in response to pathogen attack (Fig. 2).
WRKY transcription factor family also plays an important role in regulating genes associated with plant 
defense responses. WRKY transcription factors are involved in phosphorylation sites for MAP kinases, which is 
part of PTI35. Our results showed up-regulation of WRKY4 and WRKY75 in BXW-resistant genotype in response 
to Xcm attack. It has been reported that overexpression of WRKY4 have provided resistance to fungal pathogens 
like Botrytis cinerea, but enhanced susceptibility to bacterial pathogens like Pseudomonas syringae36. WRKY75 
transcription factor act as positive regulators of defense during interactions with bacterial pathogens and demon-
strated to activate basal and R-mediated resistance in Arabidopsis and strawberry37.
In this study, the majority of WRKY (6, 11, 17, 22, 40, 41, 49, 65 and 72) transcription factors were suppressed 
in the BXW-resistant genotype indicating their involvement as negative regulator (Table 2). Several of WRKY 
transcription factors (AtWRKY7, 11, 17, 18, 23, 25, 27, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 58, 60, and 62) were also reported as 
negative regulators of defense signaling35.
ABA plays important role in plants responding for abiotic as well as biotic stress. Although ABA is known as 
a negative regulator of defense against biotic stresses, a number of reports have also shown its role in induction of 
disease resistance38. Our results demonstrated activation of ABA metabolism in BXW-resistant genotype in Musa 
balbisiana in response to pathogen attack (Fig. 2). ABA has been reported to play important role in plant defense 
by callose deposition in response to pathogen attack39. ABA suppresses β-1,3-glucanase, an enzyme that degrades 
callose, ensuring callose accumulation. Our results also showed suppression of the majority of genes associated 
with β-1,3-glucanases in Musa balbisiana after inoculation with Xcm at 12 hpi, suggesting cell wall enforcement 
by callose deposition.
The phytohormones SA, JA and ET play key roles in defense responses against pathogens40. Generally, 
SA-dependent plant defense system is activated by biotrophic bacterial pathogens, whereas necrotrophic fungal 
pathogens and chewing insects trigger JA-dependent plant defenses. However, we observed suppression of SA 
and activation of JA pathway in Musa balbisiana in response to interaction with Xcm. Similar to our results, there 
are reports demonstrating antagonistic interactions between ABA and SA metabolism and ABA production con-
tributing to JA accumulation and activation for resistance against pathogen infection38,39. In this study NPR1-like 
gene was also suppressed confirming no involvement of SA pathway for systemic acquired resistance (SAR) path-
way in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi.
A second line of defense is Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI), which involves R-gene families. The R-genes 
interactwith virulence factors of pathogens and trigger defense response characterized by rapid calcium fluxes, 
oxidative burst, transcriptional reprogramming within and around the infection sites and localized programmed 
cell death, which leads  to suppression of pathogen growth41. Resistance proteins protect the plant against path-
ogens after recognition of virulence factor, however, in the absence of specific recognition of virulence factors, 
basal defense response occurs through PAMPs. Similar to our studies, it has been reported overlapping of the 
PAMP-triggered defense with R-protein-mediated defense42.
In response to Xcm infection, R-gene in LRR family protein and putative disease resistance protein RPM1 
in NBS-LRR domain were up-regulated in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi inducing immune response providing 
Figure 5. Comparison of RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR analysis for differential expression (log2 fold change) of 
selected genes. Details of selected genes are provided in Table 3.
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resistance against pathogen (Table 2). LRR family proteins provide the important structural framework required 
for molecular interactions, and pathogen recognition42. Similar to our results, Arabidopsis thaliana RPM1 have 
shown to trigger the defense system against Pseudomonas syringae43.
Activation of R-gene lipase-like PAD4 gene was also observed in Musa balbisiana (Table 2). Lipase like gene is 
involved in SA signaling and function in R-gene-mediated and basal plant disease resistance44. However, activa-
tion of SA signaling was not observed in this study.
A typical class of susceptibility (S) genes, MLO-like protein 13 was found to be suppressed in Musa balbisiana 
at 12 hpi. MLO is postulated to act as a negative regulator of plant defenses and resistance to powdery mildew was 
demonstrated by knocking out susceptibility S-genes at MLO loci45.
Induction of PR genes in BXW-resistant genotype Musa balbisiana in response to Xcm inoculation indicates 
their role in innate immune responses like HR and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in plants against pathogen 
infection. Osmotin-like protein, a PR5, is reported to be involved in plant defense responses to several pathogens 
and abiotic stresses46. Transgenic sesame overexpressing osmotin-like PR gene demonstrated resistance against 
Macrophomena phaseolina infection by activating JA/ET and SA pathways46.
Germin-like protein (GER1 or GLP1) was activated in both BXW-susceptible and BXW-resistant genotypes at 
12 hpi and 48 hpi, respectively. Germin-like protein are reported to be increased in several plants after pathogen 
infection and involved in plant defense47. It has been reported that differences between susceptibility and resist-
ance are associated with differences in the timing and magnitude of the induced response rather than just with 
the expression of various genes48. Further investigation is required to understand the function of GER1 in banana.
This study also showed activation of proteolysis in Musa balbisiana in response to pathogen at both 12 hpi and 
48 hpi, whereas proteolysis was also induced at 48 hpi in Pisang Awak (Fig. 2). Generally, activation of proteolysis 
enables host plant cells to trigger defense response upon recognition of an invading pathogen49.
Our results also showed differential expression of transmembrane transporters in Musa balbisiana. Upon 
attack, pathogens use transporters to send signals to modify host cellular mechanisms promoting virulence and 
facilitating their own proliferation within the host tissues50. This study showed suppression of sugar transporter 
SWEET14-like protein in Musa balbisiana as early response to bacterial attack. However, no differential expres-
sion of this transcript was noticed in BXW-susceptible genotype Pisang Awak, indicating that SWEET14 facilitate 
bacterial colonization in susceptible interaction. Bacterial pathogens manipulate SWEET14 transporter for viru-
lence by direct binding its effector to the SWEET promoter and inducing its expression leading to susceptibility 
to pathogen51,52.
Upon pathogen attack, early nodulin-like proteins were repressed in Musa balbisiana at 12 hpi. Normally, 
nodulin-like proteins are present in legumes and play an important role in symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria53. 
Nodulin-like proteins are involved in transport of nutrients, amino acids, hormones and solutes required for 
plant development. As nodulin-like proteins assist pathogens to colonize on the host plants53, suppression of these 
proteins in BXW-resistant Musa balbisiana suggested restricted colonization of Xcm.
In conclusion, comparative transcriptome of the BXW-resistant and the BXW-susceptible genotypes of banana 
provided some understanding of molecular basis of response against Xcm. The DEGs mapped to biotic stress 
pathways allowed us to identify number of candidate genes involved in banana-Xcm interaction. Our results 
demonstrated activation of both PAMP-triggered defense and R protein-mediated defense in the BXW-resistant 
genotype Musa balbisiana as response to Xcm infection. Upon Xcm attack, pathogen-recognition receptors trig-
ger cascade of responses leading to PTI as first line of defense. Further pathogen effectors were recognized by 
disease resistant genes inducing R-gene-mediated resistance. In this study transcripts associated with HR and 
programmed cell death were found to be activated in BXW-resistant genotype as early response to Xcm attack. 
RNAseq and qRT-PCR results also indicated activation of antimicrobial peptide in the BXW-resistant genotype. 
The antimicrobial activity of vicilin-like peptide from Musa balbisiana needs to be further tested against Xcm.
The differential expressions of several genes involved in plant defense were validated by qRT-PCR (Fig. 5 and 
Table 3). Further functional genomics need to be performed to understand in-depth molecular mechanism of 
defense against Xcm. The significant genes should be knocked out or over-expressed to better understand their 
role in plant defense against Xcm.
To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first transcriptome analysis of the banana genotypes for the 
response to Xcm pathogen. Our data provide insights on the defense mechanism in the BXW-resistant wild type 
banana Musa balbisiana to the most damaging pathogen Xcm. This information can be used in crop improve-
ment program to transfer the disease resistance trait from wild type banana to farmer-preferred banana cultivars 
commonly grown in Africa.
Materials and Methods
plant material, inoculation and sampling. The BXW disease resistant genotype Musa balbisiana (BB) 
and highly susceptible banana cultivar Pisang Awak (ABB, commonly known as Kayinja) were obtained from in 
vitro collection at IITA-Kenya. The in vitro plantlets were micropropagated in tissue culture.
Pure culture of Ugandan isolate of Xcm isolate collected from Pathology Laboratory, IITA was maintained 
on YTSA medium (1% yeast extract, 1% tryptone, 1% sucrose and 1.5% agar) at 4 °C. A single bacterial colony 
was inoculated into 25 ml of YTS medium (1% yeast extract, 1% tryptone and 1% sucrose) and cultured at 28 °C 
with shaking at 150 rpm for 48 h. The bacterial culture was centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 5 min and pellet was 
re-suspended in sterile double distilled water. The optical density (OD 600 nm) of the bacterial suspension was 
checked and bacterial concentration was adjusted to 108 cfu/ml with sterile water. Fresh inoculum was used for 
all the experiments in order to have high virulent potential of the pathogen.
One month-old in vitro rooted plantlets with 3–4 leaves were artificially inoculated with fresh culture of Xcm. 
About 100 μl of bacterial suspension (108 cfu ml−1) was artificially injected using insulin syringe into the midrib 
of the second fully open leaf. This method of artificial inoculation is similar to natural infection through injury 
1 4Scientific RepoRts |          (2019) 9:7007  | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43421-1
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by contaminated cutting tools, commonly practiced by farmers. Previous study in our laboratory showed devel-
opment of BXW symptoms and complete wilting of Pisang Awak plantlets artificially inoculated with Xcm54. The 
inoculated leaf of M. balbisiana also showed necrotic and chlorotic patches due to hypersensitive response, but 
these symptoms did not progress and the plants were subsequently healthy54.
Additional plantlets were mock inoculated with sterile water as control in order to nullify the effect of wound-
ing through injection.
The inoculated leaf samples were collected at 0, 12 hpi, 48 hpi. These time points were selected as the expres-
sion of defense genes during early infection with Xcm was observed to be high at 12 hpi and then decreasing at 48 
hpi55. Three biological and three technical replicates were used for each time point.
The samples were:
 1. Pisang Awak inoculated with bacterial culture at 0, 12 hpi, 48 hpi
 2. Musa balbisiana inoculated with bacteria at 0, 12 hpi, 48 hpi
 3. Pisang Awak mock inoculated with water at 12 hpi, 48 hpi
 4. Musa balbisiana mock inoculated with water at 12 hpi, 48 hpi
RNA extraction and library preparation. Total RNA was extracted from 100 mg leaf samples using 
the RNeasy plant mini kit (Qiagen, GmbH, Hilden, Germany) and treated with DNase (RNeasy Plant Mini kit, 
Qiagen). The quality of RNA was assessed using denaturing agarose gel stained with gelred (Biotium, USA) and 
quantified using a Nanodrop 2000 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, MA, USA).
A total of 30 cDNA libraries were prepared in each of the two treatments [three biological replicates at each of the 
three time points (0, 12 hpi and 48 hpi) per genotype inoculated with bacterial culture and two time points (12 hpi, 
48 hpi) inoculated with sterile water] using Illumina TruSeq RNA Sample Preparation Kit v2. Poly (A) mRNA was 
obtained from 1 µg of the total RNA using poly-T oligos attached to magnetic beads. The purified mRNA was frag-
mented and used to synthesize first strand cDNA using SuperScript II Reverse Transcriptase (Thermo Fisher Scientific) 
and random primers. Second strand cDNA was synthesized from the resultant first strand and this was end-repaired 
by adding ‘A’ (A-tailing) at the 3′ ends to allow the ligation of indexed adaptors. The adaptor indexes were used in such 
a way that it allowed for multiplexing in sequencing. The libraries were enriched through twelve cycles of PCR ampli-
fications. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the libraries were done using QuBit DNA assay (Thermo Fisher 
Scientific) as well as with Agilent DNA 1000 assay (Agilent technologies, CA, USA) on an Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer. All 
the assays on quality and quantity were performed according to the respective manufacturer’s protocols.
RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and differential gene expression analysis. The cDNA library was 
sequenced pair-ends wise using the Illumina HiSeq™ 2500, and 100-bp reads were generated. The sequencing 
was performed by Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University.
The reads were trimmed for quality using Trimmomatic and aligned against the reference Musa acuminata 
genome using Hisat256. The reference genome for Musa acuminata DH Pahang annotation version 2 and annota-
tions were downloaded from Banana Genome Hub57 (http://banana-genome-hub.southgreen.fr/download). This 
genome sequence is considered to be the reference genome for Musa species due to its completeness and quality 
of annotation58. The quality of annotation has recently been quantified through a BUSCO analysis, which scores 
the genome of Musa acuminata DH Pahang at 96.5% and the genome of Musa balbisiana Pisang Klutuk Wulung 
at 66.5%59. This genome sequence has been extensively used in other transcriptome studies on Musa including 
genotypes having B-genome60.
The protein sequences from the Musa acuminata DH Pahang and Musa balbisiana Pisang Klutuk Wulung 
genomes were downloaded and the reciprocal best BLAST hits were obtained using a perl script. The gene identi-
fiers (IDs) from Musa balbisiana Pisang Klutuk Wulung are reported in all tables based on the results of the recip-
rocal best BLAST search. The best BLAST hit is reported for the genes where the reciprocal best BLAST search hit 
was not available and it is denoted with the symbol “*” after the gene identifier.
HTSeq-count was used to count the number of reads that map to the different annotated genes. Readcounts 
for annotated genes were loaded in R and genes with low expression were filtered out. The genes were removed 
from the dataset if none of its groups had a median of 10 reads mapping to the genome. The filtered readcount 
data was used as input for DESeq2 to determine differentially expressed genes. The genes with fold change of 
greater than 1.5 or <−1.5 and also an adjusted p-value less FDR corrected p-value of 0.1 were identified.
The change in gene expression due to bacterial inoculation was calculated for both genotypes at each time 
point by comparing them with mock-inoculated plants of the same genotype using the contrasts function in 
DESeq2. Also the interaction between genotypes and pathogen i.e. genotypes:treatment interaction was recorded.
Go-term enrichment analysis. A Gene Ontology (GO) Enrichment Analysis of differentially expressed 
genes was performed using GO-terms provided by the Banana Genome Hub and the GOStats package in R61. 
GOStats has a functionality that allows individuals to create their own GO annotation database for species that 
are currently not supported in the annotation databases. Using the Banana Genome Hub Gene-to-GO associa-
tion a Gene Set Enrichment dataset was created and used for identifying GO-terms that were over-represented 
in a given gene list. The function has been enhanced to provide the FDR corrected p-values. All go-terms were 
adjusted for p-value of less than 0.05.
Biotic stress and metabolic pathway analysis. The DEGs were mapped to different pathways using the 
Mapman62 version 3.5.1R2. The mapping to the Mapman functional categories (BINs) was done for all the protein 
sequences from the Musa acuminata version 2 genome. The protein sequences were uploaded to the Mercator 
tool63. The pathway analysis used the overall metabolic pathway and the biotic stress pathways for this study.
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Quantitative Rt-pCR validation. To verify the results of RNA-Seq analysis, qRT-PCR analysis was per-
formed with 30 selected DEGs using gene specific primers (Supplementary Table S8). The primers were designed 
using the PrimerQuest Tool (Integrated DNA Technologies, Iowa, USA) using the 2 primers, intercalating dyes 
qPCR design type.
The samples for qRT-PCR were independently prepared as described above for RNAseq. One month-old 
in vitro rooted plantlets were artificially inoculated with 100 μl of bacterial culture (108 cfu ml−1) of Xcm. The 
plantlets mock inoculated with sterile water were used as control. The inoculated leaf samples were collected at 
0, 12 hpi, 48 hpi and RNA were isolated using the RNeasy plant mini kit (Qiagen, GmbH, Hilden, Germany) 
and treated with DNase (RNeasy Plant Mini kit, Qiagen). First strand cDNA was synthesized using reverse tran-
scriptase of the Maxima H Minus First Strand cDNA synthesis kit with oligo DT primers (Thermo scientific). The 
primer specificity for each gene was confirmed by PCR and melting curve in qRT-PCR.
The qRT-PCR was performed using Maxima SYBR green/ROX PCR kit (Thermo Scientific) on 7900 Real 
Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems, USA). The experiment was set up using three biological and three 
technical replicates. Relative expression data were normalized using the Musa25S ribosomal gene as reference. 
Mock inoculated control plant was used as calibrator to calculate log2 fold change of target gene using the ΔΔCt 
method64.
Δ = −CT (Target) CT (Target) CT (Reference)
ΔΔ = Δ −ΔCt CT (Xcm inoculated sample) CT (Mock inoculated sample)
The means and standard error were calculated for three replicates per experiment using Minitab 16 statistical 
software, 2012.
The log2 fold change by RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR analysis were compared using Pearson correlation analysis 
in Minitab 16 statistical software.
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17Scientific RepoRts |          (2019) 9:7007  | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43421-1
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and CGIAR 
Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (CRP-RTB).
Author Contributions
L.T. conceived idea, designed study and drafted manuscript. J.N.T. prepared samples, extracted RNA and 
performed qRT-PCR analysis. T.S. performed bioinformatics analysis and pathway analysis and wrote that 
section. K.S.M. prepared libraries for sequencing. M.K. performed bioinformatics analysis. All authors 
contributed in writing and critically reviewed the manuscript.
Additional Information
Supplementary information accompanies this paper at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43421-1.
Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
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