cDNA-AFLP-based transcript profiling for genome-wide expression analysis of jasmonate-treated plants and plant cultures.

cDNA-AFLP is a commonly used, robust, and reproducible tool for genome-wide expression analysis in any species, without requirement of prior sequence knowledge. Quantitative expression data are generated by gel-based visualization of cDNA-AFLP fingerprints obtained by selective PCR amplification of subsets of restriction fragments from a double-stranded cDNA template. Differences in gene expression levels across the samples are reflected in different band intensities on the high-resolution polyacrylamide gels. The differentially expressed genes can be identified by direct sequencing of re-amplified cDNA-AFLP tags purified from the gels. The cDNA-AFLP technique is especially useful for profiling of transcriptional responses of jasmonate-treated plants or plant (tissue) cultures and the discovery of jasmonate-responsive genes.