Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Potato and Tomato Responses to Botrytis cinerea Infection

Botrytis cinerea causes gray mold disease in numerous plant species, including economically important solanaceous crops. To investigate the molecular interaction between B. cinerea and Solanum tuberosum, we performed dual RNA-seq analyses of infected potato leaves at 24 and 72 h post inoculation (hpi). A total of 5932 potato genes were differentially expressed during infection, including genes associated with pathogen perception, hormone signaling, transcriptional regulation, and defense responses to biotic stress. In parallel, 2162 fungal genes showed differential expression, including genes encoding plant cell-wall-degrading enzymes, reactive oxygen species-related proteins, detoxification enzymes, toxins, and candidate secreted effectors. Comparative analyses with an independent transcriptomic dataset from tomato infected with B. cinerea revealed both shared and distinct transcriptional patterns. Similar expression patterns were observed for genes associated with jasmonic acid, ethylene signaling, and stress responses, while differences were found in the induction of genes involved in specialized metabolism. Potato exhibited increased expression of genes associated with germacrene B and α-farnesene biosynthesis, whereas tomato showed induction of genes related to viridiflorene and costunolide production. In addition, fungal genes involved in botrydial biosynthesis and several secreted virulence-associated enzymes showed stronger induction during tomato infection. These findings provide new insights into the transcriptional responses of potato to B. cinerea infection and the similarities and differences observed in comparison with tomato.