Transcriptional and morphological changes in the transition from mycetophagous to phytophagous phase in the plant-parasitic nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Isheng J. Tsai, Ryusei Tanaka, Natsumi Kanzaki, Mitsuteru Akiba, Toshiro Yokoi, Margarida Espada, John T. Jones, Taisei Kikuchi (Lead / Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Drastic physiological and morphological changes in parasites are crucial for the establishment of a successful infection. The nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the pathogenic agent of pine wilt disease, and little is known about the physiology and morphology in this nematode at the initial stage of infection. In this study, we devised an infection system using pine stem cuttings that allowed us to observe transcriptional and morphological changes in the host-infecting phytophagous phase. We found that 60 genes enriched in xenobiotic detoxification were up-regulated in two independent post-inoculation events, whereas down-regulation was observed in multiple members of collagen gene families. After 48h of inoculation, the tails in some of the adult females exposed to the host changed in morphology. These results suggest that B.xylophilus may change its physiology and morphology to protect itself and to adapt to the host pine wood environment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)77-83
Number of pages7
JournalMolecular Plant Pathology
Volume17
Issue number1
Early online date1 Apr 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2016

Keywords

  • Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
  • Collagen
  • Pinewood nematode
  • RNAseq
  • Tail shape

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Soil Science
  • Plant Science

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