Characterization of 16B09 and 2D01 effector proteins in cyst nematodes
Abstract
Cyst nematodes use stylet-secreted effector proteins to modify a selected host cell into an elaborate feeding cell. The function of the novel effector proteins 16B09 and 2D01 from the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) Heterodera glycines and sugar beet cyst nematode (BCN) H. schachtii was studied. This class of effectors is expressed in the dorsal gland cell of parasitic life stages and was found to be highly expanded in the SCN genome suggesting that the 16B09 and 2D01 superfamily is essential in plant-nematode interactions. Host-induced gene silencing targeting 16B09 demonstrated that this effector protein is required for cyst nematode parasitism. The susceptibility of Arabidopsis to BCN was significantly decreased when the expression of Hs16B09 was reduced. Plants overexpressing Hs16B09, however, did not show any abnormal phenotypes to provide clues to its function. Interestingly, however, unlike the closely related 2D01 effector, 16B09 was found to be toxic to the growth of yeast suggesting that it may be modulating an important eukaryotic cellular process. Because 16B09 toxicity to yeast precluded the use of a yeast two hybrid approach to identify potential host targets, a screen with 2D01 was carried out and HAE, an Arabidopsis leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase that controls floral organ abscission and lateral root emergence, and is expressed in the nematode feeding cell, was identified as a potential host target of this effector.
Degree
M.S.
Thesis Department
Rights
OpenAccess.
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