Dynamics in the tomato root transcriptome on infection with the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis

Abstract

Plant parasitic nematodes infect roots and trigger the formation of specialized feeding sites by substantial reprogramming of the developmental process of root cells. In this article, we describe the dynamic changes in the tomato root transcriptome during early interactions with the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism-based mRNA fingerprinting (cDNA-AFLP), we monitored 17 600 transcript-derived fragments (TDFs) in infected and uninfected tomato roots, 1-14 days after inoculation with nematode larvae. Six hundred and twenty-four TDFs (3.5%) showed significant differential expression on nematode infection. We employed GenEST, a computer program which links gene expression profiles generated by cDNA-AFLP and databases of cDNA sequences, to identify 135 tomato sequences. These sequences were grouped into eight functional categories based on the presence of genes involved in hormone regulation, plant pathogen defence response, cell cycle and cytoskeleton regulation, cell wall modification, cellular signalling, transcriptional regulation, primary metabolism and allocation. The presence of unclassified genes was also taken into consideration. This article describes the responsiveness of numerous tomato genes hitherto uncharacterized during infection with endoparasitic cyst nematodes. The analysis of transcriptome profiles allowed the sequential order of expression to be dissected for many groups of genes and the genes to be connected with the biological processes involved in compatible interactions between the plant and nematode.

Analysis of tomato gene promoters activated in syncytia induced in tomato and potato hairy roots by Globodera rostochiensis

“…Using the cDNA-AFLP method, Swiecicka et al (2009) found that five genes analysed in the present study were up-regulated in G. rostochiensis -infected roots from 1 to 14 dpi, but the highest transcript accumulation was observed at 1 and/or 3 dpi. To verify this finding and to confirm our results obtained using promoter- gusA fusions, the expression of the CYP97A29 , DFR , FLS , NIK and PMEI genes in infected and uninfected tomato plants was studied by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.…”

“…Genes were selected from a set of tomato genes that were shown to be up-regulated after G. rostochiensis infection by Swiecicka et al (2009) (Table S1). The 5′ upstream regions of these genes were amplified using a BD Advantage™ Genomic PCR kit (BD Biosciences Clontech) from adaptor-ligated tomato genomic libraries prepared by the GenomeWalker™ protocol (BD Bioscences Clontech).…”

“…We have previously identified 226 tomato genes that show modified expression during G. rostochiensis migration and syncytium development (Swiecicka et al 2009; unpublished data). For the present study, we selected the genes CYP97A29 , DFR , FLS , NIK and PMEI that encode putative proteins with homology to other known proteins related to defense reactions, and that show up-regulation during the first days post infection by G. rostochiensis (Swiecicka, unpublished data).…”

Differential gene expression in roots of nematode-resistant and -susceptible peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cultivars in response to early stages of peanut root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria) parasitization

“…For instance, various members of MYB (GW276033), AP2/EREBP (GW276030) and WRKY (GW275998 and GW276009) TF families, as identified in this study, have been shown to be implicated in controlling gene expression in various abiotic and biotic stress signal transduction pathways. Swiecicka et al (2009) also observed a significant differential in the induction of TF gene family members in tomato roots during early and late stages of potato cyst nematode G. rostochiensis infection, and suggested a direct functional involvement for TFs in stress responses as well as feeding site development. Nematode-induced MYB122 in Florunner roots is a member of the clade I subgroup of 12 R2R3-MYB TFs and a regulator of indolic glucosinolate biosynthesis, central to defense against herbivores and pathogen attack (Gigolashvili et al, 2009).…”

Ethylene response pathway modulates attractiveness of plant roots to soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines

“…Transcriptome and microarray analyses of host roots infected with plant nematodes showed differential changes in the expression of genes responding to several hormones including auxin, ethylene (ET), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), brassinosteroids (BR), gibberellins (GA), and abscisic acid (ABA)222324. A number of studies have indicated that the signaling pathways of SA, JA, BR, ABA, and ET are involved in the defense response of host plants to nematodes252627282930.…”