H2020Индивидуална стипендия2020–2022

NEMABOX · Deciphering the cyst nematode parasitic program by uncovering how their virulence is orchestrated

„Хоризонт 2020“ — Действия „Мария Склодовска-Кюри“

Период: 2020-04-01 → 2022-03-31
Финансиране от ЕС: 212 934 €
Участници: 1
Схема: MSCA-IF-EF-ST

Линиите свързват координатора с партньорите.

Накратко на български

Цистичните нематоди използват специални протеини, за да проникнат в растения като картофи и домати и да променят техните функции. Разбирането на този механизъм помага за разработването на устойчиви биотехнологични методи за контрол на тези вредители.

Този кратък обзор е генериран от изкуствен интелект

Кратко обяснение, генерирано от езиков модел по текста на CORDIS. Оригиналът е по-долу.

Резултати накратко

Deciphering the cyst nematode parasitic program by uncovering how their virulence is orchestrated

The microbial world contains among the most fascinating biotrophic interactions but also among the most destructive plant pathogens. The study of these complex interactions provides both fundamental knowledge on the molecular dialogue across species from different Kingdoms of Life, but also innovative solutions to fight crop pathogens. The plant parasitic nematodes represent a significant group of plant pathogens that threaten current and future food security. Among them, the cyst nematodes target some of the most important crop species (tomato, potato) and cause up to 80% losses. European regulations ((EC) No1107/2009) increase the stringency of conditions for approval of new chemicals for agriculture, limit the choice of fungicides and pesticides, and prohibit the future use of many effective nematicides. We must improve our understanding of the virulence of the cyst nematodes in order to identify new targets for a sustainable biotechnological control of these pests. It is known that the parasite breaks the plant cell wall using a stylet to secrete plant cell wall degrading enzymes and inject into the plant cytosol and apoplasm secreted “effector” proteins. Prior to secretion, these effectors are primarily produced in three gland cells in the nematode (one dorsal gland and two subventral) as illustrated overleaf. This “cocktail” of secreted effector proteins allows the cyst nematode to penetrate the plant and manipulate host immunity and physiology. One of the major questions in the field is, how is this virulence orchestrated at the molecular level? This project significantly improved our understanding of the virulence of cyst nematodes by combining in silico and molecular approaches to decipher their parasitic program. This action provided two major resources with the lifestage-specific trans-kingdom RNAseq timecourse and the gland cells-specific RNAseq dataset. In addition, it identified a first-of-its-kind subventral gland regulator that regulates the expression of a large set of subventral gland effectors and participate to the plant penetration process. Functional analysis of the SUGR identified two different possibilities of control strategies that can be further investigated to develop impactful solution to cyst nematode infection.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз

Цел на проекта

Plant parasitic nematodes represent a significant group of plant pathogens that threaten current and future food security. Among them, the cyst nematodes target some of the most important crop species (tomato, potato) and cause up to 80% losses. European regulations prohibit the future use of many effective nematicides. We must improve our understanding of the virulence of the cyst nematodes to identify new targets for a sustainable biotechnological control of these pests. Here, I will use my experiences gained on plant-fungal interactions to address a major question in plant-nematode interactions: how is plant-parasitism orchestrated at the molecular level? To be virulent, cyst nematodes must inject “effector” proteins into the plant. These effectors are primarily produced in either the nematode’s dorsal or sub-ventral glands. Hundreds of these dorsal gland effectors are unified by a six base-pair non coding DNA motif, termed the “DOG box”. In a recent effort, a transcription factor that can recognize the DOG-box was identified, termed the “DOG box reader”. This discovery is the first tangible insight into the regulation of plant-nematode parasitism and opens the possibility to explore a new area of research. However, I recognize that the DOG box and its corresponding reader are only one part of the jigsaw puzzle. To complete the picture, in depth and breadth, I need to know: How does the DOG box reader work in vivo, and does it work alone? What are the genetic signatures and readers of other glands and at other times? To what extent are regulatory mechanisms conserved between cyst nematode species? I expect that successful completion of this fellowship will launch my independent academic career, drive forward the state-of the-art with a holistic “spatio-temporal” view of how plant-nematode parasitism is orchestrated at the molecular level, and provide a basis to explore sustainable solutions for improved food security, in line with the Horizon2020 programme.

Оригинален текст от CORDIS (на английски).

Участници

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