Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Involved in Host-Specific Resistance to Cyst Nematodes in Crops

Abstract

Cyst nematodes are able to infect a wide range of crop species and are regarded as a major threat in crop production. In response to invasion of cyst nematodes, plants activate their innate immune system to defend themselves by conferring basal and host-specific defense responses depending on the plant genotype. Basal defense is dependent on the detection of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), while host-specific defense mainly relies on the activation of canonical and non-canonical resistance (R) genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL). Currently, application of R genes and QTLs in crop species is a major approach to control cyst nematode in crop cultivation. However, emerging virulent cyst nematode field populations are threatening crop production due to host genetic selection by the application of a limited set of resistance genes in current crop cultivars. To counteract this problem, increased knowledge about the mechanisms involved in host-specific resistance mediated by R genes and QTLs to cyst nematodes is indispensable to improve their efficient and sustainable use in field crops. Despite the identification of an increasing number of resistance traits to cyst nematodes in various crops, the underlying genes and defense mechanisms are often unknown. In the last decade, indebt studies on the functioning of a number of cyst nematode R genes and QTLs have revealed novel insights in how plants respond to cyst nematode infection by the activation of host-specific defense responses. This review presents current knowledge of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the recognition of cyst nematodes, the activation of defense signaling and resistance response types mediated by R genes or QTLs. Finally, future directions for research are proposed to develop management strategies to better control cyst nematodes in crop cultivation.

Insights Into the Mechanisms Implicated in Pinus pinaster Resistance to Pinewood Nematode

“…On the other hand, the higher expression of NLR receptors in resistant plants may lead to the recognition of PWN effectors. Several studies have previously shown relevant roles for NRL receptors in plant resistance to parasitic nematodes (Sato et al, 2019 ; Zheng et al, 2021 ) and herbivorous insects (Hogenhout and Bos, 2011 ; Erb and Reymond, 2019 ). For instance, the NLR receptor encoded by gene Mi-1.2 confers resistance to tomato root-knot nematodes ( Meloidogyne spp.)…”

“…In turn, these effectors may be recognized by intracellular nucleotide-binding/leucine-rich-repeat (NLR) receptors, inducing a more robust defense response, the effector-triggered immunity (ETI) (Cui et al, 2015 ). Several RLK/RLP and NLR receptors have been implicated in resistance to plant–parasitic nematodes (Sato et al, 2019 ; Zheng et al, 2021 ). However, these studies focus on sedentary and biotrophic species, and intracellular NLR receptors may not have a relevant role in resistance to migratory non-biotrophic nematodes such as PWN.…”

RNA-Seq of Cyst Nematode Infestation of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.): A Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Resistant and Susceptible Cultivars

“…However, cultural, physical, and biological control are not efficient because of the several survival adaptations of PCNs, such as a hard protective cyst coat, extended survival in the egg stage for more than two decades, diapause in juveniles, etc. Therefore, the use of host resistance is one of the most sustainable nematode management approaches [2,8,18].…”

Arabidopsis thaliana Myb59 Gene Is Involved in the Response to Heterodera schachtii Infestation, and Its Overexpression Disturbs Regular Development of Nematode-Induced Syncytia

“…However, exceptions and more complex events also exist. Furthermore, SA and JA signals frequently interact either antagonistically or synergistically [ 11 ].…”