flp-32 Ligand/receptor silencing phenocopy faster plant pathogenic nematodes

PLoS Pathog. 2013 Feb;9(2):e1003169. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003169. Epub 2013 Feb 28.

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 Gp-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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Central Nervous System / anatomy & histology
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • FMRFamide / genetics*
  • FMRFamide / metabolism
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics*
  • Helminth Proteins / metabolism
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / genetics
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Transport Modulators / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Movement
  • Plant Diseases / parasitology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Solanum tuberosum / metabolism
  • Solanum tuberosum / parasitology*
  • Tylenchoidea / physiology*

Substances

  • Helminth Proteins
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Transport Modulators
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • FMRFamide