RNA Isolation from Nematode-Induced Feeding Sites in Arabidopsis Roots Using Laser Capture Microdissection

Nematodes are diverse multicellular organisms that are most abundantly found in the soil. Most nematodes are free-living and feed on a range of organisms. Based on their feeding habits, soil nematodes can be classified into four groups: bacterial, omnivorous, fungal, and plant-feeding. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are a serious threat to global food security, causing substantial losses to the agricultural sector. Root-knot and cyst nematodes are the most important of PPNs, significantly limiting the yield of commercial crops such as sugar beet, mustard, and cauliflower. The life cycle of these nematodes consists of four molting stages (J1-J4) that precede adulthood. Nonetheless, only second-stage juveniles (J2), which hatch from eggs, are infective worms that can parasitize the host's roots. The freshly hatched juveniles (J2) of beet cyst nematode, Heterodera schachtii, establish a permanent feeding site inside the roots of the host plant. A cocktail of proteinaceous secretions is injected into a selected cell which later develops into a syncytium via local cell wall dissolution of several hundred neighboring cells. The formation of syncytium is accompanied by massive transcriptional, metabolic, and proteomic changes inside the host tissues. It creates a metabolic sink in which solutes are translocated to feed the nematodes throughout their life cycle. Deciphering the molecular signaling cascades during syncytium establishment is thus essential in studying the plant-nematode interactions and ensuring sustainability in agricultural practices. However, isolating RNA, protein, and metabolites from syncytial cells remains challenging. Extensive use of laser capture microdissection (LCM) in animal and human tissues has shown this approach to be a powerful technique for isolating a single cell from complex tissues. Here, we describe a simplified protocol for Arabidopsis-Heterodera schachtii infection assays, which is routinely applied in several plant-nematode laboratories. Next, we provide a detailed protocol for isolating high-quality RNA from syncytial cells induced by Heterodera schachtii in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana plants.

Host factors influence the sex of nematodes parasitizing roots of Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant-parasitic cyst nematodes induce hypermetabolic syncytial nurse cells in the roots of their host plants. Syncytia are their only food source. Cyst nematodes are sexually dimorphic, with their differentiation into male or female strongly influenced by host environmental conditions. Under favourable conditions with plenty of nutrients, more females develop, whereas mainly male nematodes develop under adverse conditions such as in resistant plants. Here, we developed and validated a method to predict the sex of beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii) during the early stages of its parasitism in the host plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We collected root segments containing male-associated syncytia (MAS) or female-associated syncytia (FAS), isolated syncytial cells by laser microdissection, and performed a comparative transcriptome analysis. Genes belonging to categories of defence, nutrient deficiency, and nutrient starvation were over-represented in MAS as compared with FAS. Conversely, gene categories related to metabolism, modification, and biosynthesis of cell walls were over-represented in FAS. We used β-glucuronidase analysis, qRT-PCR, and loss-of-function mutants to characterize FAS- and MAS-specific candidate genes. Our results demonstrate that various plant-based factors, including immune response, nutrient availability, and structural modifications, influence the sexual fate of the cyst nematodes.

Physical and chemical mutagens improved Sporotrichum thermophile, strain ST20 for enhanced Phytase activity

Objective

Phosphorous is an essential micronutrient of plants and involved in critical biological functions. In nature, phosphorous is mostly present in immobilized inorganic mineral and in the fixed organic form including phytic acid and phosphoesteric compounds. However, the bioavailability of bound phosphorous could be enhanced by the use of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The phytases are widespread in an environment and have been isolated from different sources comprising bacteria and fungi.

Methodology

In current studies, we show the successful use of gamma rays and EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulphonate) mutagenesis for enhanced activity of phytases in a fungal strain Sporotrichum thermophile.

Results

We report an improved strain ST2 that could produce a clear halo zone around the colony, up to 24 mm. The maximum enzymatic activity was found of 382 U/mL on pH 5.5. However, the phytase activity was improved to 387 U/ml at 45 °C. We also report that the mutants produced through EMS showed the greater potential for phytase production.

Conclusion

The current study highlights the potential of EMS mutagenesis for strain improvement over physical mutagens.

Signal Transduction in Plant⁻Nematode Interactions

To successfully invade and infect their host plants, plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) need to evolve molecular mechanisms to overcome the defense responses from the plants. Nematode-associated molecular patterns (NAMPs), including ascarosides and certain proteins, while instrumental in enabling the infection, can be perceived by the host plants, which then initiate a signaling cascade leading to the induction of basal defense responses. To combat host resistance, some nematodes can inject effectors into the cells of susceptible hosts to reprogram the basal resistance signaling and also modulate the hosts’ gene expression patterns to facilitate the establishment of nematode feeding sites (NFSs). In this review, we summarized all the known signaling pathways involved in plant–nematode interactions. Specifically, we placed particular focus on the effector proteins from PPNs that mimic the signaling of the defense responses in host plants. Furthermore, we gave an updated overview of the regulation by PPNs of different host defense pathways such as salicylic acid (SA)/jasmonic acid (JA), auxin, and cytokinin and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling to facilitate their parasitic successes in plants. This review will enhance the understanding of the molecular signaling pathways involved in both compatible and incompatible plant–nematode interactions.

Genome-wide association study uncovers a novel QTL allele of AtS40-3 that affects the sex ratio of cyst nematodes in Arabidopsis

Plant-parasitic cyst nematodes are obligate sedentary parasites that infect the roots of a broad range of host plants. Cyst nematodes are sexually dimorphic, but differentiation into male or female is strongly influenced by interactions with the host environment. Female populations typically predominate under favorable conditions, whereas male populations predominate under adverse conditions. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in an Arabidopsis diversity panel to identify host loci underlying variation in susceptibility to cyst nematode infection. Three different susceptibility parameters were examined, with the aim of providing insights into the infection process, the number of females and males present in the infected plant, and the female-to-male sex ratio. GWAS results suggested that variation in sex ratio is associated with a novel quantitative trait locus allele on chromosome 4. Subsequent candidate genes and functional analyses revealed that a senescence-associated transcription factor, AtS40-3, and PPR may act in combination to influence nematode sex ratio. A detailed molecular characterization revealed that variation in nematode sex ratio was due to the disturbed common promoter of AtS40-3 and PPR genes. Additionally, single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding sequence of AtS40-3 might contribute to the natural variation in nematode sex ratio.

Arabidopsis HIPP27 is a host susceptibility gene for the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii

Sedentary plant-parasitic cyst nematodes are obligate biotrophs that infect the roots of their host plant. Their parasitism is based on the modification of root cells to form a hypermetabolic syncytium from which the nematodes draw their nutrients. The aim of this study was to identify nematode susceptibility genes in Arabidopsis thaliana and to characterize their roles in supporting the parasitism of Heterodera schachtii. By selecting genes that were most strongly upregulated in response to cyst nematode infection, we identified HIPP27 (HEAVY METAL-ASSOCIATED ISOPRENYLATED PLANT PROTEIN 27) as a host susceptibility factor required for beet cyst nematode infection and development. Detailed expression analysis revealed that HIPP27 is a cytoplasmic protein and that HIPP27 is strongly expressed in leaves, young roots and nematode-induced syncytia. Loss-of-function Arabidopsis hipp27 mutants exhibited severely reduced susceptibility to H. schachtii and abnormal starch accumulation in syncytial and peridermal plastids. Our results suggest that HIPP27 is a susceptibility gene in Arabidopsis whose loss of function reduces plant susceptibility to cyst nematode infection without increasing the susceptibility to other pathogens or negatively affecting the plant phenotype.

Damage-associated responses of the host contribute to defence against cyst nematodes but not root-knot nematodes

When nematodes invade and subsequently migrate within plant roots, they generate cell wall fragments (in the form of oligogalacturonides; OGs) that can act as damage-associated molecular patterns and activate host defence responses. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating damage responses in plant-nematode interactions remain unexplored. Here, we characterized the role of a group of cell wall receptor proteins in Arabidopsis, designated as polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins (PGIPs), during infection with the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii and the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. PGIPs are encoded by a family of two genes in Arabidopsis, and are involved in the formation of active OG elicitors. Our results show that PGIP gene expression is strongly induced in response to cyst nematode invasion of roots. Analyses of loss-of-function mutants and overexpression lines revealed that PGIP1 expression attenuates infection of host roots by cyst nematodes, but not root-knot nematodes. The PGIP1-mediated attenuation of cyst nematode infection involves the activation of plant camalexin and indole-glucosinolate pathways. These combined results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying plant damage perception and response pathways during infection by cyst and root-knot nematodes, and establishes the function of PGIP in plant resistance to cyst nematodes.

An improved procedure for isolation of high-quality RNA from nematode-infected Arabidopsis roots through laser capture microdissection

BACKGROUND

Cyst nematodes are biotrophs that form specialized feeding structures in the roots of host plants, which consist of a syncytial fusion of hypertrophied cells. The formation of syncytium is accompanied by profound transcriptional changes and active metabolism in infected tissues. The challenge in gene expression studies for syncytium has always been the isolation of pure syncytial material and subsequent extraction of intact RNA. Root fragments containing syncytium had been used for microarray analyses. However, the inclusion of neighbouring cells dilutes the syncytium-specific mRNA population. Micro-sectioning coupled with laser capture microdissection (LCM) offers an opportunity for the isolation of feeding sites from heterogeneous cell populations. But recovery of intact RNA from syncytium dissected by LCM is complicated due to extended steps of fixation, tissue preparation, embedding and sectioning.

RESULTS

In the present study, we have optimized the procedure of sample preparation for LCM to isolate high quality of RNA from cyst nematode induced syncytia in Arabidopsis roots which can be used for transcriptomic studies. We investigated the effect of various sucrose concentrations as cryoprotectant on RNA quality and morphology of syncytial sections. We also compared various types of microscopic slides for strong adherence of sections while removing embedding material.

CONCLUSION

The use of optimal sucrose concentrations as cryoprotection plays a key role in RNA stability and morphology of sections. Treatment with higher sucrose concentrations minimizes the risk of RNA degradation, whereas longer incubation times help maintaining the morphology of tissue sections. Our method allows isolating high-quality RNA from nematode feeding sites that is suitable for downstream applications such as microarray experiments.

Frequency distribution of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null allele in Pakistani population and risk of disease incidence

Glutathione-S-transferases, GSTM1 and GSTT1 play a significant role in detoxification and bioactivation of a broad range of xenobiotic compounds known to be mutagenic and/or carcinogenic. Deletion polymorphisms of these glutathione transferases (GSTM1 and GSTT1) predispose individuals to environmental carcinogenic compounds. Although a number of studies have shown the relationship between GSTM1 and/or GSTT1 deletion polymorphism and different cancers, these findings cannot be extrapolated to other populations due to intra- and inter-ethnic variability. In order to assess the impact of differential ethnicity on the occurrence of different cancers in local population due to GSTM1, or GSTT1 deletion polymorphism, 111 healthy male and female individuals of different age groups from Southern Punjab, Pakistan were genotyped using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction. From the results it is obvious that null alleles of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were found in 45% and 23% individuals, respectively. In 5% of individuals' simultaneous deletion of both GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were observed. Frequency of GSTM1 null allele is in concordance with those documented for Chinese, Caucasians, Mongolian, and Japanese populations. However, a significantly higher frequency for GSTT1 null was reported in Chinese and Japanese population as compared to Pakistani population. It is the first ever report on frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null allele in Pakistani population which demonstrate the impact of ethnicity and provide basis for future epidemiological and clinical studies.