Secrets in secretions: Genes that control nematode parasitism of plants

Abstract

The most evolutionary advanced adaptations for plant parasitism by nematodes are the products of parasitism genes expressed in their esophageal gland cells and secreted through their stylet into host tissue to control the complex process of parasitism. Molecular analyses of nematode parasitism genes are revealing the complexity of the tools that enable the nematode to attack plants, and the results paint a more elaborate picture of host cellular events under specific control by the parasite than previously hypothesized. Interestingly, the majority of the parasitism genes discovered encodes proteins unique to plant-parasitic nematodes. Identifying the nematode parasitome, i.e., the complete profile of parasitism gene products secreted through the nematode stylet during the parasitic cycle, is the key to understanding the molecular basis of nematode parasitism of plants. Such knowledge will identify vulnerable points in the parasitic process that can be interfered with to achieve nematode control to limit nematode-induced yield losses in crops.