Host-specific gene induction in the plant parasitic nematode Pratylenchus coffeae
C. BELL (1), C. Lilley (1), H. Atkinson (1), J. McCarthy (1), P. Urwin (1) (1) University of Leeds, United Kingdom

Coffee is the world’s second-most traded commodity and suffers yield reductions of up to 20% per annum from plant parasitic nematodes, Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus species. While Pratylenchus coffeae is of particular economic importance there is very little information describing its interaction with its host crop. The roles of β-1,4-endoglucanases have been well characterised in other plant parasitic species e.g. Meloidogyne spp. Four β-1,4-endoglucanase genes from the migratory endoparasite P. coffeae were identified from published genome and transcriptome data. In situ hybridisation revealed that all four genes are expressed in the pharyngeal glands and therefore potentially, are secreted into the host roots. One gene is also expressed in the intestine. Relative expression of the four genes was significantly different in nematodes recovered from either banana, carrot, coffee, maize or potato plants. Similar differential, host-specific expression was observed for orthologous β-1,4-endoglucanase genes from P. vulnus and Radopholus similis. Root exudate from the hosts stimulated stylet thrusting of P. coffeae and additionally induced expression of the four β-1,4-endoglucanase genes. Pre-treatment of P. coffeae with levamisole, which blocks cholinergic neuronal signalling, inhibited both of these responses to root exudate exposure. This suggests detection of a nearby host is perceived via cholinergic neurons and results in induction of transcription in a host-specific manner.

Abstract Number: P7-155
Session Type: Poster