Identification of genes involved in <i>Meloidogyne incognita</i>-induced gall formation processes in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne incognita) are phytoparasitic nematodes that cause significant damage to crop plants worldwide. Recent studies have revealed that RKNs disrupt various physiological processes in host plant cells to induce gall formation. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of gall formation induced by nematodes. We have previously found that RNA expression levels of some of genes related to micro-RNA, cell division, membrane traffic, vascular formation, and meristem maintenance system were modified by nematode infection. Here we evaluated these genes importance during nematode infection by using Arabidopsis mutants and/or β-glucronidase (GUS) marker genes, particularly after inoculation with nematodes, to identify the genes involved in successful nematode infection. Our results provide new insights not only for the basic biology of plant-nematode interactions but also to improve nematode control in an agricultural setting.

AtSWEET1 negatively regulates plant susceptibility to root-knot nematode disease

“…The expression of this gene is also higher in the feeding sites than in the surrounding tissue ( Hammes et al., 2005 ). It was recently reported that plant-specific membrane trafficking mechanisms might be involved in gall formation ( Suzuki et al., 2021 ). We examined the status of reactive oxygen species, callose, and PTI-related genes in the roots of the atsweet1 mutant and Col-0 inoculated with RKNs, and found no significant differences ( Supplementary Figures 1 – 3 ).…”

“…In Arabidopsis , there is a significant difference in the expression of sugar transporter genes ( Hammes et al., 2005 ; Zhao et al., 2018 ) and genes related to other physiological activities ( Suzuki et al., 2021 ) in plants inoculated with parasitic nematodes. Sugar transporter genes AtSUC2 and gall specific promoter TobRB7 , have been identified to be involved in the feeding site of nematodes ( Opperman et al., 1994 ; Juergensen et al., 2003 ).…”

Functional studies of plant transcription factors and their relevance in the plant root-knot nematode interaction

“…The loss of function lines myb3r1 , myb3r5 and myb3r1/3/5 showed no effect on nematode infection. In contrast, myb3r3 , myb3r4 , myb3r1/4 and myb3r3/5 showed a significant reduction in the number of galls compared to wild type plants ( Suzuki et al., 2021a ; Table 1 ; Figure 2 ). It is known that the myb3r1/4 mutant presents aberrant cytokinesis and down-regulation of cell cycle genes ( Haga et al., 2007 , Haga et al., 2011 ), and MYB3R4 is involved in endoreduplication, acting as an activator or repressor depending on its phosphorylation state ( Chandran et al., 2010 ).…”

“…APL (Altered phloem development), a MYB coiled-coil-type TF involved in phloem identity acquisition, is expressed in protophloem, metaphloem and companion cells ( Bonke et al., 2003 ). It is induced early after infection with M. incognita and M. javanica in Arabidopsis, as shown by an A PL::GUS line with a strand signal in 3 dpi galls that increases at 5 dpi ( Suzuki et al., 2021a ; Table 1 ; Figure 2 ). However, functional tests are still needed to confirm its role during gall formation.…”

Metabolome and Transcriptome Profiling Reveals the Function of MdSYP121 in the Apple Response to Botryosphaeria dothidea

“…Previous research has found that the metabolism of sugars is accelerated in galls generated following inoculation with Meloidogyne incognita, and the levels of starch, sucrose, and glucose showed obvious accumulation [24]. It was recently reported that plant-specific membrane trafficking mechanisms might be involved in gall formation [25]. Zhang et al [26] found that after powdery mildew infection, the levels of glucose and fructose in the resistant Kentucky bluegrass variety 'BlackJack' decreased, while the levels in the susceptible variety 'EverGlade' increased.…”