Abstract
Transcription factors are proteins that directly bind to regulatory sequences of genes to modulate and adjust plants’ responses to different stimuli including biotic and abiotic stresses. Sedentary plant parasitic nematodes, such as beet cyst nematode, Heterodera schachtii, have developed molecular tools to reprogram plant cell metabolism via the sophisticated manipulation of genes expression, to allow root invasion and the induction of a sequence of structural and physiological changes in plant tissues, leading to the formation of permanent feeding sites composed of modified plant cells (commonly called a syncytium). Here, we report on the AtMYB59 gene encoding putative MYB transcription factor that is downregulated in syncytia, as confirmed by RT-PCR and a promoter pMyb59::GUS activity assays. The constitutive overexpression of AtMYB59 led to the reduction in A. thaliana susceptibility, as indicated by decreased numbers of developed females, and to the disturbed development of nematode-induced syncytia. In contrast, mutant lines with a silenced expression of AtMYB59 were more susceptible to this parasite. The involvement of ABA in the modulation of AtMYB59 gene transcription appears feasible by several ABA-responsive cis regulatory elements, which were identified in silico in the gene promoter sequence, and experimental assays showed the induction of AtMYB59 transcription after ABA treatment. Based on these results, we suggest that AtMYB59 plays an important role in the successful parasitism of H. schachtii on A. thaliana roots.
Highlights
Sedentary plant parasitic nematodes employ the reprogramming of plant cell metabolism through a sophisticated manipulation of gene expression to achieve favorable conditions for the induction and development of their permanent feeding sites, which facilitate their own development and reproduction
Based on the transcriptome analysis of syncytia induced in A. thaliana rootsin byA.the beet roots b beet cyst nematode
AtMYB59 was signific cyst nematode H. schachtii [12], we found that AtMYB59 was significantly downregulated downregulated and presumed that its expression might have a negative and presumed that its expression might have a negative impact on the development of impact o syncytia Szakasits and/or nematodes
Summary
Sedentary plant parasitic nematodes employ the reprogramming of plant cell metabolism through a sophisticated manipulation of gene expression to achieve favorable conditions for the induction and development of their permanent feeding sites, which facilitate their own development and reproduction. They can cause extensive yield losses in almost all economically important crops [1]. The infective second-stage juveniles (J2s) emerging from the eggs hidden in a protective cyst invade the root and migrate across the epidermis and cortex toward the vascular cylinder, where they select a single initial syncytial cell that incorporates neighboring parenchymatic and meristematic cells by the formation of local cell wall dissolution, giving rise to the syncytium. Females start to produce eggs and die, turning into a protective cyst filled with eggs
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