1. Unraveling the Roles of Neuropeptides in the Chemosensation of the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica .
- Author
-
Mo C and Zhang L
- Subjects
- Animals, Plant Diseases parasitology, Plant Diseases genetics, Chemotaxis, Helminth Proteins metabolism, Helminth Proteins genetics, Tylenchoidea physiology, Neuropeptides metabolism, Neuropeptides genetics, Plant Roots parasitology, Plant Roots metabolism, Plant Roots genetics, Solanum lycopersicum parasitology, Solanum lycopersicum genetics, Solanum lycopersicum metabolism
- Abstract
The identification of novel drug targets in plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) is imperative due to the loss of traditional nematicides and a lack of replacements. Chemosensation, which is pivotal for PPNs in locating host roots, has become a focus in nematode behavioral research. However, its underlying molecular basis is still indistinct in such a diverse group of PPNs. To characterize genes participating in chemosensation in the Javanese root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica , RNA-sequencing of the second-stage juveniles (J2s) treated with tomato root exudate (TRE) for 1 h and 6 h was performed. Genes related to chemosensation in M . javanica mainly responded to TRE treatment at 1 h. Moreover, a gene ontology (GO) analysis underscored the significance of the neuropeptide G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway. Consequently, the repertoire of putative neuropeptides in M . javanica , including FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs), insulin-like peptides (ILPs), and neuropeptide-like peptides (NLPs), were outlined based on a homology analysis. The gene Mjflp-14a , harboring two neuropeptides, was significantly up-regulated at 1 h TRE treatment. Through peptide synthesis and J2 treatment, one of the two neuropeptides (MjFLP-14-2) was proven to influence the J2 chemotaxis towards tomato root tips. Overall, our study reinforces the potential of nematode neuropeptides as novel targets and tools for root-knot nematode control.
- Published
- 2024
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