Parasitic Nematodes Modulate PIN-Mediated Auxin Transport to Facilitate Infection
2009

How Nematodes Use Auxin to Infect Plants

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Grunewald Wim, Cannoot Bernard, Friml Jiří, Gheysen Godelieve

Primary Institution: Ghent University

Hypothesis

Nematodes manipulate the auxin distribution network in plants to facilitate their infection process.

Conclusion

Cyst nematodes can hijack the auxin transport system in plants to establish feeding sites necessary for their survival.

Supporting Evidence

  • Nematodes manipulate host developmental pathways to induce feeding sites.
  • Auxin is crucial for the establishment of nematode feeding sites.
  • PIN1-mediated auxin transport is essential for nematode infection efficiency.
  • PIN3 and PIN4 are involved in the radial expansion of nematode feeding sites.

Takeaway

Nematodes are like sneaky thieves that trick plants into helping them eat by changing how a plant hormone called auxin works.

Methodology

The study analyzed the expression of PIN auxin transporters during nematode infection using promoter-GUS/GFP fusion lines and infection studies with pin mutants.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.ppat.1000266

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