Suppressed Gene Reduces Parasitic Nematode Reproduction

Silencing the gene that encodes for cyclin-dependent kinase AtCDKA;1 in Arabidopsis results to plants with increased resistance against sedentary plant-parasitic nematodes, scientists from Ghent University report on the advance online issue of Plant Biotechnology Journal. AtCDKA;1 acts as a molecular switch that guarantees the progression of the cell cycle. Godelieve Gheysen and colleagues specifically silenced AtCDKA;1 expression in roots using a nematode-inducible promoter, since previous studies have shown that activation of the cell cycle is important for the development of nematode feeding sites (root galls and syncytia).

Gheysen and the team of scientists observed that infection of the AtCDKA;1-silenced lines with the root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and beet cyst eelworm (Heterodera schachtii) resulted to plants with significantly fewer galls and cysts compared with controls. The researchers were able to demonstrate that silencing an important gene involved in feeding site formation could be a strategy to obtain nematode-resistant plants.

The article is available to subscribers at http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/120125867/PDFSTART Non-subscribers can read the abstract http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7652.2008.00355.x