Nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora mimics olfactory cues of sex and food to lure its nematode prey.

ABSTRACT: To study the molecular basis for predator-prey coevolution, we investigated how Caenorhabditis elegans responds to the predatory fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora. C. elegans and other nematodes were attracted to volatile compounds produced by A. oligospora. Gas-chromatographic mass-spectral analyses of A. oligospora-derived volatile metabolites identified several odors mimicking food cues attractive to nematodes. One compound, methyl 3-methyl-2-butenoate (MMB) additionally triggered strong sex- and stage-specific attraction in several Caenorhabditis species. Furthermore, when MMB is present, it interferes with nematode mating, suggesting that MMB might mimic sex pheromone in Caenorhabditis species. Forward genetic screening suggests that multi

SUBMITTER: Hsueh YP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5243009 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature