The use of laser capture microdissection to study the infection ofGlycine max(soybean) byHeterodera glycines(soybean cyst nematode)

Abstract

The soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) is an obligate parasite of soybean (Glycine max). It is the most destructive pathogen of G. max, accounting for approximately 0.46-0.82 billion dollars in crop losses, annually, in the U.S. Part of the infection process involves H. glycines establishing feeding sites (syncytia) that it derives its nourishment from throughout its lifecycle. Microscopic methods (i.e., laser capture microdissection [LCM]) that faithfully dissect out those feeding sites are important improvements to the study of this significant plant pathogen. Our isolation of developing feeding sites during an incompatible or a compatible reaction is providing new ways by which this important plant-pathogen interaction can be studied. We have used these methods to create cDNA libraries, clone genes and perform microarray analyses. Importantly, it is providing insight not only into how the root is responding at the organ level to H. glycines, but also how the syncytium is responding during its maturation into a functional feeding site.

Application of Laser Microdissection to plant pathogenic and symbiotic interactions

“…An area of interest is the development and maintenance of nematode feeding sites. LM methods that faithfully dissect out the feeding sites are important improvements to the study of this significant plant-pathogen interaction (Ramsay et al 2004;Klink et al 2005Klink et al , 2007aIthal et al 2007;Klink and Matthews 2008).…”