Project description:In this project we sequenced smallRNAs to see how both BCN (H.schachtii) and PCN (G. rostochiensis line 19 and 22) react to different viruses. After adapter removal, small RNA analysis was performed on sequences from 18 to 28 nt in length. Also the smallRNAs are mapped to the reference genomes of the nematodes to look for smallRNAs.
Project description:In order to study the similarities and differences in embryonic development between plant-parasitic nematodes and free-living nematodes, we performed RNA-seq on embryos of three plant-parasitic nematodes at a total of 11 stages from the single-cell stage to the J1 stage
Project description:Plant-parasitic cyst nematodes induce syncytial cells in the roots of their host plants. Cyst nematodes are sexually dimorphic, with their differentiation into male or femaleis strongly influenced by host environmental conditions. Under favorable conditions with plenty of nutrients, more females develop, whereas mainly male nematodes develop under adverse conditions, such as in resistant plants. We collected root segments containing male-associated syncytia (MAS) or female-associated syncytia (FAS), isolated syncytial cells by laser microdissection, and performed a comparative transcriptome analysis using Microarrays.
Project description:Background: Epigenetic processes play an important role in the plant response to adverse environmental conditions. A role for DNA hypomethylation has recently been suggested in the pathogenic interaction between bacteria and plants, yet it remains unclear whether this phenomenon reflects a conserved and general plant immunity response. We therefore investigated the role of DNA methylation in the plant defence against damaging parasitic nematodes. Methods and results: Treatment of roots of rice (monocot plant) and tomato (dicot plant) by a nematode-associated molecular pattern (NAMP) from different parasitic nematodes revealed global DNA hypomethylation using ELISA based quantification, suggesting conservation among plants. Focusing on root-knot induced gall tissue in rice, the causal impact of hypomethylation on immunity was revealed by a significantly reduced plant susceptibility upon 5-Azacitidine treatment. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing revealed that hypomethylation was massively present in the CHH context, while absent for CpG or CHG nucleotide contexts. CHH hypomethylated regions were predominantly associated with gene promoter regions, which was not correlated with activated gene expression at the same time point, but rather showed a delayed effect on transcriptional gene activation. Finally, the relevance of CHH hypomethylation in plant defence was confirmed in rice mutants of the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway (RdDM) and DDM1, which are known to be steering DNA methylation in CHH context. Conclusions: We demonstrated that DNA hypomethylation confers enhanced defence in rice towards root-parasitic nematodes and is likely to be part of the basal NAMP-triggered immunity response in plants.
Project description:Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) need to be adapted to survive in the absence of a suitable host or in hostile environmental conditions. Various forms of developmental arrest (including desiccation, cryopreservation, hatching inhibition and dauer stages) are used by PPN in order to survive these conditions and spread to other areas. Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) (Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis) are frequently in a dessicated state unhatched nematodes within the egg dispersal unit inside the cyst. Long term survival seems to be associated primarily with species that have a very restricted host range which requires surviving unhatched in the absence of the host for extended periods of time. This paper shows fundamental changes in the response of quiescent and diapaused eggs of G.pallida to hydration and following exposure to tomato root diffusate using microarray gene expression analysis from a broad set of genes. Surprisingly, many unique genes were activated in the population of diapaused eggs. Transport activity was activated in both quiescent and diapaused eggs; however, the transport function genes were very different between them. Hydrated quiescent and diapaused eggs were markedly different indicating differences in adaptation for long term survival.
Project description:Mobile small RNAs are an integral component of the arms race between plants and fungal parasites, and several studies suggest microRNAs could similarly operate between parasitic nematodes and their animal hosts. However, whether and how specific sequences are selected for export by parasites is unknown. Here we describe a specific Argonaute protein (exWAGO) that is secreted in extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by the gastrointestinal nematode Heligmosomodies bakeri, at multiple copies per EV. Phylogenetic and gene expression analyses demonstrate exWAGO is highly conserved and abundantly expressed in related parasites, including the human hookworm and proteomic analyses confirm this is the only Argonaute secreted by rodent parasites. In contrast, exWAGO orthologues in species from the free-living genus Caenorhabditis are highly diverged. By sequencing multiple small RNA libraries, we determined that the most abundant small RNAs released from the nematode parasite are not microRNAs but rather secondary small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that are produced by RNA-dependent RNA Polymerases. We further identify distinct evolutionary properties of the siRNAs resident in free-living or parasitic nematodes versus those exported in EVs by the parasite and show that the latter are specifically associated with exWAGO. Together this work identifies an Argonaute protein as a mediator of RNA export and suggests rhabditomorph nematode parasites may have co-opted a novel nematode-unique pathway to communicate with their hosts.
Project description:The cereal cyst nematode (CCN, Heterodera avenae) is a major pest of wheat (Triticum spp) that reduces crop yields in many countries. Cyst nematodes are obligate sedentary endoparasites that reproduce by amphimixis. Here, we report the first transcriptome analysis of two parasitic stages of H. avenae.