Plant parasitic nematode effectors target host defense and nuclear functions to establish feeding cells

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science Vol. 4; p. 53
• Main Authors: Quentin, Michaëel, Abad, Pierre, Favery, Bruno
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers 2013; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: cyst nematodes; Effectors; Environmental Sciences; feeding cells; Life Sciences; plant nuclei; Plant Science; Root-knot nematodes; effectors; cyst nematodes; feeding cells; plant nuclei; root-knot nematodes; CYST; GIANT-CELLS; MELOIDOGYNE-INCOGNITA; HETERODERA-SCHACHTII; CHORISMATE MUTASE; DISEASE RESISTANCE; ESOPHAGEAL GLAND-CELLS; GLOBODERA-ROSTOCHIENSIS; INNATE IMMUNITY
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00053

Plant parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms, the most damaging species of which have adopted a sedentary lifestyle within their hosts. These obligate endoparasites have a biotrophic relationship with plants, in which they induce the differentiation of root cells into hypertrophied, multinucleate feeding cells (FCs). Effectors synthesized in the esophageal glands of the nematode are injected into the plant cells via the syringe-like stylet and play a key role in manipulating the host machinery. The establishment of specialized FCs requires these effectors to modulate many aspects of plant cell morphogenesis and physiology, including defense responses. This cell reprogramming requires changes to host nuclear processes. Some proteins encoded by parasitism genes target host nuclei. Several of these proteins were immunolocalized within FC nuclei or shown to interact with host nuclear proteins. Comparative genomics and functional analyses are gradually revealing the roles of nematode effectors. We describe here these effectors and their hypothesized roles in the unique feeding behavior of these pests.