Beginnings of a plant parasite: early development of Rafflesia consueloae inside its Tetrastigma host

Bascos, Erika Marie A.; Fernando, Edwino S.; Duya, Melizar V.; Rodriguez, Lillian Jennifer

doi:10.1007/s00425-021-03710-4

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(49 reference statements)

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“…Cupule in Rafflesiaceae plants functions as a haustorium, providing nutrients and water [ 90 , 91 ]. Several histoanatomical studies described the process of teardrop-shaped protocorm penetration into the host for flowering in endophytes, and found that the haustorium of Rafflesiaceae plants starts to form in the vascular cambium of the host [ 3 , 61 , 87 , 92 ]; however, the molecular mechanism of haustorium formation is unknown. The process of haustorium formation has been well studied in Orobanchaceae, and is regulated by the LRD program genes [ 43 , 88 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Little is known about how Rafflesiaceae seeds germinate and how endophytic cells enter the host. Apart from multiple locals claiming to have successfully reached flowering in Rafflesia plants grown from seeds [85][86][87], there was no success in vitro [85], suggesting that Rafflesia plants require unknown factor(s) released from the host to flower. Seeds of Orobanchaceae species depend on host-derived SLs to germinate, and most receptors for SLs are encoded by KAI2d, which underwent expansion in S. asiatica and Orobanche cumana genomes [88].…”

Section: Host-parasite Interactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Sapria himalayana genome provides new insights into the lifestyle of endoparasitic plants

Guo

et al. 2023

BMC Biol

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Background Sapria himalayana (Rafflesiaceae) is an endoparasitic plant characterized by a greatly reduced vegetative body and giant flowers; however, the mechanisms underlying its special lifestyle and greatly altered plant form remain unknown. To illustrate the evolution and adaptation of S. himalayasna, we report its de novo assembled genome and key insights into the molecular basis of its floral development, flowering time, fatty acid biosynthesis, and defense responses. Results The genome of S. himalayana is ~ 1.92 Gb with 13,670 protein-coding genes, indicating remarkable gene loss (~ 54%), especially genes involved in photosynthesis, plant body, nutrients, and defense response. Genes specifying floral organ identity and controlling organ size were identified in S. himalayana and Rafflesia cantleyi, and showed analogous spatiotemporal expression patterns in both plant species. Although the plastid genome had been lost, plastids likely biosynthesize essential fatty acids and amino acids (aromatic amino acids and lysine). A set of credible and functional horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events (involving genes and mRNAs) were identified in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of S. himalayana, most of which were under purifying selection. Convergent HGTs in Cuscuta, Orobanchaceae, and S. himalayana were mainly expressed at the parasite–host interface. Together, these results suggest that HGTs act as a bridge between the parasite and host, assisting the parasite in acquiring nutrients from the host. Conclusions Our results provide new insights into the flower development process and endoparasitic lifestyle of Rafflesiaceae plants. The amount of gene loss in S. himalayana is consistent with the degree of reduction in its body plan. HGT events are common among endoparasites and play an important role in their lifestyle adaptation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Host-parasite Interactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Sapria himalayana genome provides new insights into the lifestyle of endoparasitic plants

Guo

et al. 2023

BMC Biol

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“…Nonetheless, our study provides a critical first assessment of compounds that differed between infected and non-infected hosts so we may begin to understand how Rafflesia infection affects host metabolomics. It is possible that what we have determined to be "non-infected" hosts may be harboring dormant Rafflesia infection (i.e., Rafflesia buds have not yet emerged, Bascos et al 2021), but given our local guide's expertise and experience in making this determination, and 2014) are provided the low chance of unwittingly selecting three "dormant" samples, we are positive of the sampling, though additional sampling and analysis in the future would certainly be advantageous.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living with a giant, flowering parasite: metabolic differences between Tetrastigma loheri Gagnep. (Vitaceae) shoots uninfected and infected with Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) and potential applications for propagation

Molina

Nikolić

Jeevarathanam

et al. 2021

Planta

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Main conclusion Metabolites in Rafflesia-infected and non-infected Tetrastigma were compared which may have applications in Rafflesia propagation. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, here reported for the first time in Vitaceae, were abundant in non-infected shoots and may be a form of defense. In Rafflesia-infected shoots, oxylipins, which mediate immune response, were elevated. Abstract Endemic to the forests of Southeast Asia, Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) is a genus of holoparasitic plants producing the largest flowers in the world, yet completely dependent on its host, the tropical grape vine, Tetrastigma. Rafflesia species are threatened with extinction, making them an iconic symbol of plant conservation. Thus far, propagation has proved challenging, greatly decreasing efficacy of conservation efforts. This study compared the metabolites in the shoots of Rafflesia-infected and non-infected Tetrastigma loheri to examine how Rafflesia infection affects host metabolomics and elucidate the Rafflesia infection process. Results from LC–MS-based untargeted metabolomics analysis showed benzylisoquinoline alkaloids were naturally more abundant in non-infected shoots and are here reported for the first time in the genus Tetrastigma, and in the grape family, Vitaceae. These metabolites have been implicated in plant defense mechanisms and may prevent a Rafflesia infection. In Rafflesia-infected shoots, oxygenated fatty acids, or oxylipins, and a flavonoid, previously shown involved in plant immune response, were significantly elevated. This study provides a preliminary assessment of metabolites that differ between Rafflesia-infected and non-infected Tetrastigma hosts and may have applications in Rafflesia propagation to meet conservation goals.

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“…(2014a), Sapria endophyte was found in the vascular cambium layer of the host. The newest update, however, revealing the growth activity of Rafflesia endophyte in the xylem as well [BASCOS & al. 2021], which is similar to Rhizanthes [NIKOLOV & al.…”

Section: Host-parasite Intersection Pattern Across Rafflesiaceaementioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary Histoanatomical Study of Sapria Himalayana Griff. F. Albovinosa Flower Buds and Its Intersection With Its Host Plant Tetrastigma Laoticum Gagnep.

Wicaksono¹,

Trần²,

Kamal³

2021

jpd

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Sapria, a holoparasitic plant of Rafflesiaceae is still understudied in term of anatomical, even more in histoanatomical study. This study aimed to perform preliminary observation on Sapria himalayana Griff. f. albovinosa morphology on its early and late stage of flower bud development inside its host, Tetrastigma laoticum Gagnep. (Vitaceae). The results show the progression from the early flower bud as it starts to grow in the host vascular cambium area towards proximal direction to reach the host xylem and distal direction to reach the host phloem and to reach the next stage of the life cycle, into the late flower bud where differentiation occurs. In late flower bud, some primordial of the organs are visible as the flower bud grows larger distally towards the periderm. This development pattern is similar to the progression of development in the previous studies in Rafflesia and Rhizanthes, where endophytic growth was observable in both proximal (xylem area) and distal (peridermal). Future comparative study is encouraged, especially to compare between Sapria species and between different stages of growth. Although, an efficient method and less invasive way of sampling is encouraged to prevent decline of Sapria species in the wild.

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Beginnings of a plant parasite: early development of Rafflesia consueloae inside its Tetrastigma host

Abstract: Main ConclusionExtensive histology of host organs revealed the early events in the vegetative growth of Rafflesia consueloae including initial infection site, endophyte distribution, and other developmental events prior to bud emergence.

Cited by 7 publications

References 29 publications

The Sapria himalayana genome provides new insights into the lifestyle of endoparasitic plants

The Sapria himalayana genome provides new insights into the lifestyle of endoparasitic plants

Living with a giant, flowering parasite: metabolic differences between Tetrastigma loheri Gagnep. (Vitaceae) shoots uninfected and infected with Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) and potential applications for propagation

Preliminary Histoanatomical Study of Sapria Himalayana Griff. F. Albovinosa Flower Buds and Its Intersection With Its Host Plant Tetrastigma Laoticum Gagnep.

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