Abstract
BackgroundThe pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a devastating pathogen of many Pinus species in China. The aim of this study was to understand the interactive molecular mechanism of PWN and its host by comparing differentially expressed genes and candidate effectors from three transcriptomes of B. xylophilus at different infection stages.ResultsIn total, 62, 69 and 46 candidate effectors were identified in three transcriptomes (2.5 h postinfection, 6, 12 and 24 h postinoculation and 6 and 15 d postinfection, respectively). In addition to uncharacterized pioneers, other candidate effectors were involved in the degradation of host tissues, suppression of host defenses, targeting plant signaling pathways, feeding and detoxification, which helped B. xylophilus survive successfully in the host. Seven candidate effectors were identified in both our study and the B. xylophilus transcriptome at 2.5 h postinfection, and one candidate effector was identified in all three transcriptomes. These common candidate effectors were upregulated at infection stages, and one of them suppressed pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) PsXEG1-triggered cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana.ConclusionsThe results indicated that B. xylophilus secreted various candidate effectors, and some of them continued to function throughout all infection stages. These various candidate effectors were important to B. xylophilus infection and survival, and they functioned in different ways (such as breaking down host cell walls, suppressing host defenses, promoting feeding efficiency, promoting detoxification and playing virulence functions). The present results provide valuable resources for in-depth research on the pathogenesis of B. xylophilus from the perspective of effectors.
Highlights
The pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a devastating pathogen of many Pinus species in China
The results showed that seven candidate effectors were found in both our study and B. xylophilus transcriptome at 2.5 h postinfection, and one candidate effector was found in all three B. xylophilus transcriptomes (Table 1)
In the A group (2.5 h postinfection), the upregulated genes were mainly involved in the growth and development of B. xylophilus, which may be due to adjustments made by B. xylophilus to survive and better adapt to the new environment during the sudden change from the mycetophagous stage to the phytophagous stage
Summary
The pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a devastating pathogen of many Pinus species in China. The aim of this study was to understand the interactive molecular mechanism of PWN and its host by comparing differentially expressed genes and candidate effectors from three transcriptomes of B. xylophilus at different infection stages. As one of the most serious coniferous forest pathogens, the pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is an essential threat to forest ecosystems worldwide, and pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by B. xylophilus has resulted in massive economic losses in Asian and European countries, especially China and Japan [1, 2]. Effectors are key elements in the virulence of various pathogens and parasites (including fungi, oomycetes, bacteria and plant-parasitic nematodes [PPNs]) against plants [3,4,5,6]. To determine the functions of effectors of PPNs in the interaction process between PPNs and their hosts, it is essential to screen and identify effectors
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