Comparative proteomics provides Insights into activation of jasmonic acid-mediated resistance mechanism in chickpea–Helicoverpa armigera interaction

Revanayya, G and Singh, Inderjit and Dhanyakumar, O and Jaba, J and Bhatia, D and Bindra, S and Singh, Ravinder and Kudapa, H and Yogendra, K (2026) Comparative proteomics provides Insights into activation of jasmonic acid-mediated resistance mechanism in chickpea–Helicoverpa armigera interaction. Plant Cell Reports, 45. pp. 1-19. ISSN 0721-7714

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Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), being a vital food legume, suffers severe yield reductions due to the pod borer Helicoverpa armigera. Despite extensive breeding efforts, durable resistance has remained elusive due to limited insights into the molecular basis of host–pest interactions. To address this gap, a first-of-its-kind integrated host–pest proteomic analysis in chickpea was performed to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying natural insect resistance. Using untargeted LC–MS/MS, the proteomes resistant (ICCV506EB), susceptible (ICC3137) and a resistant crop wild relative (CWR’s) (IG73016, C. cuneatum), along with larvae feeding on these genotypes, were simultaneously profiled. Resistant genotypes elicited a rapid, multi-layered defense response involving jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated signaling, transcriptional reprogramming, and fatty acid–derived secondary metabolites. In turn, H. armigera activated detoxification enzymes, proteolytic modulation, and behavioral countermeasures. Strikingly, larvae feeding on resistant CWRs failed to overcome defenses, as linoleic acid (LA) derivatives are suggested to act as pro-toxin-like factors, adversely affecting larval survival, digestion, growth, and development. The findings reveal the dynamic defense–counter-defense interplay between chickpea and H. armigera. This interplay highlights the key biomolecular nodes associated with durable resistance. This study provides correlative evidence suggesting that LA-derived defense metabolites may function as potential pro-toxin-like compounds and establishes CWRs as a rich source of resistance traits. Importantly, enhancing early JA-pathway activation through molecular breeding or biotechnology could accelerate the development of insect-resilient chickpea cultivars, thereby boosting crop productivity and sustainability.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Global Research Program - Accelerated Crop Improvement
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Chickpea, Crop wild relatives, Fatty acid, Helicoverpa armigera, Jasmonic acid, Proteomics
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Chickpea Others > Entomology
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	25 May 2026 04:54
Last Modified:	25 May 2026 04:54
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13643
Official URL:	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00299-0...
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	The authors acknowledge Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), India for supplying the chickpea genotypes. We also thank Genebank-ICRISAT, Hyderabad, for providing chickpea crop wild relatives. We extend our gratitude to Hemalatha Sanivarapu, Rajendra Badbadwal, Venkata Ramana, and Rajendra Prasad for their extensive support and assistance during the field and laboratory experiments.
Links:	Google Scholar

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