Current Issues in Molecular Biology

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Molecular Mechanisms of Nematodes and Plant Diseases

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nematodes are the most diverse microorganisms in the world. Infestation with parasitic nematodes such as root rot nematodes (Meroidogyne spp.) and cyst nematodes (Heterodera spp. and Globodera spp.) inhibits plant growth and development, causing huge yield losses worldwide every year.

Interpreting the molecular mechanisms of nematode–plant interactions is a rapidly evolving field. Nematode effector proteins are central components in the development of parasitism and plant diseases. Resistant plants can suppress nematode parasitism through a number of different mechanisms upon effector recognition. Understanding the targets of these proteins and modifying them using gene editing techniques could aid host resistance.

Understanding nematode-associated molecular patterns and how plants sense them could facilitate the next generation of biologically driven plant biostimulant control. Nematode–plant interactions may also be affected by external biotic factors such as endophytic microorganisms. These organisms can directly or indirectly influence nematode parasitism outcomes by triggering altered plant defense responses.

This Special Issue aims to review and extend our current knowledge through studies exploring molecular aspects of nematode–plant interactions. Applying this information to novel plant parasite control highlights opportunities for future relevant research in important plant parasitism, generating much-needed alternatives to traditional chemical nematicides. We welcome manuscripts including original research, reviews, and communications.

Dr. Maria De Lurdes Inácio
Dr. Jorge Miguel Silva Faria
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Issues in Molecular Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

plants
parasitic nematodes
resistance
susceptibility
resistance breeding
nematodes
phytobiome
nematode–microbial interaction

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

18 pages, 6955 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of DNA Methylation Differences during the JIII Formation of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

by Peng Wang, Yongxia Li, Zhenkai Liu, Wei Zhang, Dongzhen Li, Xuan Wang, Xiaojian Wen, Yuqian Feng and Xingyao Zhang

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(12), 9656-9673; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45120603 - 30 Nov 2023

Viewed by 616

Abstract

DNA methylation is a pivotal process that regulates gene expression and facilitates rapid adaptation to challenging environments. The pinewood nematode (PWN; Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), the causative agent of pine wilt disease, survives at low temperatures through third-stage dispersal juvenile, making it a major pathogen for pines in Asia. To comprehend the impact of DNA methylation on the formation and environmental adaptation of third-stage dispersal juvenile, we conducted whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and transcriptional sequencing on both the third-stage dispersal juvenile and three other propagative juvenile stages of PWN. Our findings revealed that the average methylation rate of cytosine in the samples ranged from 0.89% to 0.99%. Moreover, we observed significant DNA methylation changes in the third-stage dispersal juvenile and the second-stage propagative juvenile of PWN, including differentially methylated cytosine (DMCs, n = 435) and regions (DMRs, n = 72). In the joint analysis of methylation-associated transcription, we observed that 23 genes exhibited overlap between differentially methylated regions and differential gene expression during the formation of the third-stage dispersal juvenile of PWN. Further functional analysis of these genes revealed enrichment in processes related to lipid metabolism and fatty acid synthesis. These findings emphasize the significance of DNA methylation in the development of third-stage dispersal juvenile of PWN, as it regulates transcription to enhance the probability of rapid expansion in PWN. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Nematodes and Plant Diseases)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Molecular Mechanisms of Nematodes and Plant Diseases

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (1 paper)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI