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Updated: Dec 4, 2025
10:35
In vivo and In vitro Infection of Potato Roots with Plant Parasitic Nematodes for the Assessment of Induced Structural Changes
Published on: February 28, 2025
805
Epigenetic and Metabolic Changes in Root-Knot Nematode-Plant Interactions
Paola Leonetti1, Sergio Molinari1
1Bari Unit, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), Department of Biology, Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISBA), 70126 CNR Bari, Italy.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 23, 2020
Summary
Plant resistance to root-knot nematodes involves DNA hypo-methylation and specific gene expression changes. This epigenetic shift activates defense enzymes like chitinase, unlike in susceptible infections.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Root-knot nematodes are significant soil-borne parasites affecting tomato crops.
- Understanding plant resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing resistant cultivars.
- Epigenetic modifications play a role in plant-parasite interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare epigenetic and metabolic mechanisms of tomato resistance to root-knot nematodes.
- To differentiate resistance mechanisms from those in susceptible or partially resistant infections.
- To identify key molecular markers associated with true plant resistance.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of total DNA methylation status using ELISA methods.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to assess the expression of methyl-transferase genes (CMT2, DRM5).
- Comparison of epigenetic profiles and defense enzyme activity between resistant and susceptible interactions.
Main Results:
- True resistance in tomato (cv Rossol with Mi-1.2) against avirulent nematodes (Mi-Vfield) was characterized by DNA hypo-methylation and down-regulation of CMT2 and DRM5 genes.
- Susceptible infections showed general DNA hyper-methylation and up-regulation of methyl-transferase genes.
- Resistant plants exhibited inhibited anti-oxidant enzymes and activated chitinase, while susceptible plants showed the opposite pattern with glucanase inhibition.
Conclusions:
- DNA hypo-methylation is an upstream mechanism triggering gene over-expression in plant resistance.
- Nematode-induced gene silencing may occur via DNA hyper-methylation and methyl-transferase gene activation.
- Distinct epigenetic and metabolic profiles differentiate true plant resistance from nematode susceptibility.
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