Open AccessTranscriptional and morphological changes in the transition from mycetophagous to phytophagous phase in the plant‐parasitic nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Author(s) -
Tsai Isheng J.,
Tanaka Ryusei,
Kanzaki Natsumi,
Akiba Mitsuteru,
Yokoi Toshiro,
Espada Margarida,
Jones John T.,
Kikuchi Taisei
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
molecular plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1364-3703
pISSN - 1464-6722
DOI - 10.1111/mpp.12261
Subject(s) - bursaphelenchus xylophilus , biology , nematode , xylophilus , botany , nematology , ecology
Summary Drastic physiological and morphological changes in parasites are crucial for the establishment of a successful infection. The nematode B ursaphelenchus 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 48 h 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.