flp-32 Ligand/Receptor Silencing Phenocopy Faster Plant Pathogenic Nematodes

Louise E. Atkinson, Michael Stevenson, Ciaran J. Mc Coy, Nikki J. Marks, Colin Fleming, Mostafa Zamanian, Tim A. Day, Michael J. Kimber, Aaron G. Maule, Angela Mousley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)
325 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Restrictions on nematicide usage underscore the need for novel control strategies for plant pathogenic nematodes such as Globodera pallida (potato cyst nematode) that impose a significant economic burden on plant cultivation activities. The nematode neuropeptide signalling system is an attractive resource for novel control targets as it plays a critical role in sensory and motor functions. The FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs) form the largest and most diverse family of neuropeptides in invertebrates, and are structurally conserved across nematode species, highlighting the utility of the FLPergic system as a broad-spectrum control target. flp-32 is expressed widely across nematode species. This study investigates the role of flp-32 in G. pallida and shows that: (i) Gp-flp-32 encodes the peptide AMRNALVRFamide; (ii) Gp-flp-32 is expressed in the brain and ventral nerve cord of G. pallida; (iii) migration rate increases in Gp-flp-32-silenced worms; (iv) the ability of G. pallida to infect potato plant root systems is enhanced in Gp-flp-32-silenced worms; (v) a novel putative Gp-flp-32 receptor (Gp-flp-32R) is expressed in G. pallida; and, (vi) Gp-flp-32R silenced worms also display an increase in migration rate. This work demonstrates that Gp30 flp-32 plays an intrinsic role in the modulation of locomotory behaviour in G. pallida, and putatively interacts with at least one novel G-protein coupled receptor (Gp-flp-32R). This is the first functional characterisation of a parasitic nematode FLP-GPCR. © 2013 Atkinson et al.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere1003169
Number of pages12
JournalPLoS Pathogens
Volume9
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Parasitology
  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

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