Potential Molecular Mimicry Proteins Responsive to α-pinene in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a nematode species that has damaged pine trees worldwide, but its pathogenesis has not been fully characterized. α-pinene helps protect host species during the early B. xylophilus infection and colonization stages. In this study, we identified potential molecular mimicry proteins based on a comparative transcriptomic analysis of B. xylophilus. The expression levels of three genes encoding secreted B. xylophilus proteins were influenced by α-pinene. We cloned one gene encoding a thaumatin-like protein, Bx-tlp-2 (accession number MK000287), and another gene encoding a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, Bx-cpi (accession number MK000288). Additionally, α-pinene appeared to induce Bx-tlp-1 expression, but had the opposite effect on Bx-cpi expression. An analysis of the expression of the potential molecular mimicry proteins in B. xylophilus infecting pine trees revealed that the α-pinene content was consistent with the expression levels of Bx-tlp-1 (Bx-cpi) and Pm-tlp (Pm-cpi) over time. Thus, these genes likely have important roles contributing to the infection of pine species by B. xylophilus. The results of this study may be relevant for future investigations of the functions of Bx-tlp-1, Bx-tlp-2 and Bx-cpi, which may provide a point to explore the relationship between B. xylophilus and host pines.

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Thaumatin-Like Protein-1 Gene (Bx-tlp-1) Is Associated with the Pathogenicity of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Phytopathology ◽

10.1094/phyto-03-19-0082-r ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 109 (11) ◽

pp. 1949-1956 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fanli Meng ◽

Yongxia Li ◽

Xuan Wang ◽

Yuqian Feng ◽

Zhenkai Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Severity Index ◽

Underlying Mechanism ◽

Bursaphelenchus Xylophilus ◽

Xylem Cavitation ◽

Gene Encoding ◽

Double Stranded Rna ◽

X Ray ◽

Pine Trees ◽

The Relationship

The pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a destructive species affecting pine trees worldwide; however, the underlying mechanism leading to pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, a B. xylophilus gene encoding thaumatin-like protein-1 (Bx-tlp-1) was silenced by RNA interference to clarify the relationship between the Bx-tlp-1 gene and pathogenicity. The in vitro knockdown of Bx-tlp-1 with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) decreased B. xylophilus reproduction and pathogenicity. Treatments with dsRNA targeting Bx-tlp-1 decreased expression by 90%, with the silencing effect maintained even in the F3 offspring. Pine trees inoculated with B. xylophilus treated with Bx-tlp-1 dsRNA decreased the symptom of wilting, and the disease severity index was 56.7 at 30 days after inoculation. Additionally, analyses of the cavitation of intact pine stem samples by X-ray microtomography revealed that the xylem cavitation area of pine trees inoculated with B. xylophilus treated with Bx-tlp-1 dsRNA was 0.46 mm2 at 30 days after inoculation. Results from this study indicated that the silencing of Bx-tlp-1 has effects on B. xylophilus fitness. The data presented here provide the foundation for future analyses of Bx-tlp-1 functions related to B. xylophilus pathogenicity.

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Boarding abilities of Bursaphelenchus mucronatus and B. xylophilus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) on Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Nematology ◽

10.1163/156854103773040745 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 843-849 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Shota Jikumaru ◽

Katsumi Togashi

Keyword(s):

Pine Wilt Disease ◽

Nematode Species ◽

Bursaphelenchus Xylophilus ◽

Insect Vector ◽

Species Replacement ◽

Monochamus Alternatus ◽

Bursaphelenchus Mucronatus ◽

Initial Load ◽

Pine Trees ◽

The Difference

Abstract Bursaphelenchus mucronatus is closely related to Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causative agent of pine wilt disease. Both nematodes are transmitted between host pine trees as the fourth-stage dispersal juveniles (JIV) by insect vectors. After the invasion of Japan by B. xylophilus, B. mucronatus, native to Japan, appears to have been replaced in the pine forests during the spread of the disease. To help understand this species replacement, the number of JIV carried by an insect vector (the initial nematode load) was compared between the two nematode species by using the beetle, Monochamus alternatus, in the laboratory. The initial load of B. mucronatus was significantly smaller than that of B. xylophilus although the number of third-stage dispersal juveniles (JIII) concentrated at the pupal chambers did not differ. Statistical analysis showed that the proportion of JIII moulting to JIV was the most important among three components explaining the difference in the initial load of B. mucronatus while the number of JIII concentrated at the pupal chamber was the most important for B. xylophilus. The phoretic affinity between the nematode and its vector is discussed in relation to its role in the species replacement.

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Expression of the Biofilm-Associated Genes in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Biofilm and Planktonic Conditions

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms19113487 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (11) ◽

pp. 3487 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Barbara Kot ◽

Hubert Sytykiewicz ◽

Iwona Sprawka

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Gene Encoding ◽

Methicillin Resistant ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Fibrinogen Binding ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

Laminin Binding Protein

The role of genes that are essential for development of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm during infection is not fully known. mRNA from two methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains that formed weak and strong biofilm on polystyrene plates were isolated at five time points from cells grown in biofilm and planktonic culture. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of investigated genes under biofilm conditions were significantly higher than under planktonic conditions. The expression levels of the gene encoding elastin binding protein (ebps) and laminin binding protein (eno) were significantly increased in biofilm at 3 h, both in strongly and weakly adhering strain. The peak expression of fib gene encoding fibrinogen binding protein was found at 6 and 8 h in the case of strongly and weakly adhering strain, respectively. The expression of icaA and icaD genes in both strains was significantly higher under biofilm conditions when comparing to planktonic cells during 12 h. The expression level of the genes encoding binding proteins and the glucosamine polymer polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA) slowly decreased after 24 h. Finally, we found that the expression levels of genes encoding binding factors in weakly adhering strain were significantly lower than in strongly adhering strain.

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Structure and expression of the gene encoding cystatin D, a novel human cysteine proteinase inhibitor.

Journal of Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1016/s0021-9258(18)54958-9 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 266 (30) ◽

pp. 20538-20543 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J.P. Freije ◽

M. Abrahamson ◽

I. Olafsson ◽

G. Velasco ◽

A. Grubb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proteinase Inhibitor ◽

Cysteine Proteinase ◽

Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitor ◽

Gene Encoding

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Systemic Expression of Genes Involved in the Plant Defense Response Induced by Wounding in Senna tora

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms221810073 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (18) ◽

pp. 10073

Author(s):

Ji-Nam Kang ◽

Woo-Haeng Lee ◽

So Youn Won ◽

Saemin Chang ◽

Jong-Pil Hong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Defense ◽

Defense Response ◽

Cysteine Proteinase ◽

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Defense Responses ◽

Ethylene Biosynthesis ◽

Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitor ◽

Mechanical Wounding ◽

Expression Of Genes ◽

Genes Encoding

Wounds in tissues provide a pathway of entry for pathogenic fungi and bacteria in plants. Plants respond to wounding by regulating the expression of genes involved in their defense mechanisms. To analyze this response, we investigated the defense-related genes induced by wounding in the leaves of Senna tora using RNA sequencing. The genes involved in jasmonate and ethylene biosynthesis were strongly induced by wounding, as were a large number of genes encoding transcription factors such as ERFs, WRKYs, MYBs, bHLHs, and NACs. Wounding induced the expression of genes encoding pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, such as PR-1, chitinase, thaumatin-like protein, cysteine proteinase inhibitor, PR-10, and plant defensin. Furthermore, wounding led to the induction of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and the accumulation of kaempferol and quercetin in S. tora leaves. All these genes were expressed systemically in leaves distant from the wound site. These results demonstrate that mechanical wounding can lead to a systemic defense response in the Caesalpinioideae, a subfamily of the Leguminosae. In addition, a co-expression analysis of genes induced by wounding provides important information about the interactions between genes involved in plant defense responses.

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Suppressive effects of Bursaphelenchus mucronatus on pine wilt disease development and mortality of B. xylophilus-inoculated pine seedlings

Nematology ◽

10.1163/15685411-00002760 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 219-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Si-Mi Liao ◽

Satomi Kasuga ◽

Katsumi Togashi

Keyword(s):

Pine Wilt Disease ◽

Nematode Species ◽

Bursaphelenchus Xylophilus ◽

Wilt Disease ◽

Reproductive Interference ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Nematode Density ◽

Pine Wilt ◽

Bursaphelenchus Mucronatus ◽

Pine Trees

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus causes pine wilt disease in Pinus trees whereas B. mucronatus has no or little virulence to the trees. Interspecific crossing experiments conducted so far suggest reproductive interference between the two nematode species. Theory predicts that one of the two competing species populations quickly displaces the other through reproductive interference in a frequency-dependent manner. Thus, it is anticipated that B. mucronatus suppresses the virulence of B. xylophilus against pine trees when B. mucronatus heavily outnumber B. xylophilus. To determine the suppressive effects of B. mucronatus, the two nematode species were inoculated simultaneously on 30 3-year-old Pinus thunbergii seedlings at three combinations of different numbers, and B. xylophilus alone was inoculated on 30 other seedlings at the corresponding numbers in early August. Seedlings were observed at intervals of 4 or 6 weeks and two stem sections were sampled from each seedling to determine the density and species composition of nematode populations after death or in December. Inoculation of B. mucronatus significantly retarded the speed of foliage discolouration from 0.170 ± 0.024 week−1 to 0.061 ± 0.017 week−1 and significantly prolonged the survival time of seedlings. Bursaphelenchus mucronatus significantly reduced the nematode density from 1799.7 ± 305.0 to 521.0 ± 148.4 (g dried seedling stem)−1. Analysis of rDNA genotype showed 1846 B xylophilus, no B. mucronatus and one hybrid.

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Expression and function of the cdgD gene, encoding a CHASE–PAS-DGC-EAL domain protein, in Azospirillum brasilense

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-80125-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

José Francisco Cruz-Pérez ◽

Roxana Lara-Oueilhe ◽

Cynthia Marcos-Jiménez ◽

Ricardo Cuatlayotl-Olarte ◽

María Luisa Xiqui-Vázquez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Azospirillum Brasilense ◽

Type Strain ◽

Wild Type Strain ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Wild Type ◽

Gene Encoding ◽

Wheat Roots ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

In The Wild ◽

Plant Growth Promoting

AbstractThe plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense contains several genes encoding proteins involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of the second messenger cyclic-di-GMP, which may control key bacterial functions, such as biofilm formation and motility. Here, we analysed the function and expression of the cdgD gene, encoding a multidomain protein that includes GGDEF-EAL domains and CHASE and PAS domains. An insertional cdgD gene mutant was constructed, and analysis of biofilm and extracellular polymeric substance production, as well as the motility phenotype indicated that cdgD encoded a functional diguanylate protein. These results were correlated with a reduced overall cellular concentration of cyclic-di-GMP in the mutant over 48 h compared with that observed in the wild-type strain, which was recovered in the complemented strain. In addition, cdgD gene expression was measured in cells growing under planktonic or biofilm conditions, and differential expression was observed when KNO3 or NH4Cl was added to the minimal medium as a nitrogen source. The transcriptional fusion of the cdgD promoter with the gene encoding the autofluorescent mCherry protein indicated that the cdgD gene was expressed both under abiotic conditions and in association with wheat roots. Reduced colonization of wheat roots was observed for the mutant compared with the wild-type strain grown in the same soil conditions. The Azospirillum-plant association begins with the motility of the bacterium towards the plant rhizosphere followed by the adsorption and adherence of these bacteria to plant roots. Therefore, it is important to study the genes that contribute to this initial interaction of the bacterium with its host plant.

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Structure, expression, chromosomal location and product of the gene encoding Adh2 in Petunia.

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/133.4.999 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 133 (4) ◽

pp. 999-1007

Author(s):

R G Gregerson ◽

L Cameron ◽

M McLean ◽

P Dennis ◽

J Strommer

Keyword(s):

Chromosomal Location ◽

Higher Plants ◽

Gene Encoding ◽

Genomic Libraries ◽

Regulatory Strategy ◽

Adh1 Gene ◽

Adh Genes ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

Adh Gene ◽

Polymerase Chain

Abstract In most higher plants the genes encoding alcohol dehydrogenase comprise a small gene family, usually with two members. The Adh1 gene of Petunia has been cloned and analyzed, but a second identifiable gene was not recovered from any of three genomic libraries. We have therefore employed the polymerase chain reaction to obtain the major portion of a second Adh gene. From sequence, mapping and northern data we conclude this gene encodes ADH2, the major anaerobically inducible Adh gene of Petunia. The availability of both Adh1 and Adh2 from Petunia has permitted us to compare their structures and patterns of expression to those of the well-studied Adh genes of maize, of which one is highly expressed developmentally, while both are induced in response to hypoxia. Despite their evolutionary distance, evidenced by deduced amino acid sequence as well as taxonomic classification, the pairs of genes are regulated in strikingly similar ways in maize and Petunia. Our findings suggest a significant biological basis for the regulatory strategy employed by these distant species for differential expression of multiple Adh genes.

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