The expression profiles of genes in banana cultivar (Seenikesel) due to infection of Colletotrichum musae
was analysed and functions of differentially-regulated expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were deduced.
Among the up-regulated ESTs, 51%, 16% and 11% were related to defence response-, stress response- and
energy and metabolism-related genes, respectively. Moreover, 22% and 11% of the down-regulated genes,
respectively accounted for defence and stress response-related functions and 11% for protein synthesis,
folding and stabilization. In addition, similarly-regulated gene transcripts were identified and 30%, 30%
and 20% of them were respectively related to defence, energy and metabolism and protein synthesis
folding and stabilization functions. Relative expression of three up-regulated gene transcripts, namely
gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), germin-like protein (GLP) and b-1,3-glucanase on peel tissues over a
period after inoculation of C. musae was analysed. Relative fold increase of expression of the three genes
showed a positive correlation with anthracnose lesion development and ripening. This study elucidated
the genetic background of resistance of cultivar Seenikesel, possible mechanisms of resistance and
correlated the expression of selected gene transcripts towards C. musae infection and fruit ripening.