Synergistic interaction of CLAVATA1, CLAVATA2, and RECEPTOR-LIKE PROTEIN KINASE 2 in cyst nematode parasitism of Arabidopsis

Mol Plant Microbe Interact. 2013 Jan;26(1):87-96. doi: 10.1094/MPMI-05-12-0118-FI.

Abstract

Plant-parasitic cyst nematodes secrete CLAVATA3 (CLV3)/ENDOSPERM SURROUNDING REGION (CLE)-like effector proteins. These proteins act as ligand mimics of plant CLE peptides and are required for successful nematode infection. Previously, we showed that the CLV2/CORYNE (CRN) heterodimer receptor complex is required for nematode CLE signaling. However, there was only a partial reduction in nematode infection when this signaling was disrupted, indicating that there might be additional nematode CLE receptors. In this study, we demonstrate that CLV1 and RECEPTOR-LIKE PROTEIN KINASE 2/TOADSTOOL2 (RPK2), two additional receptors that can transmit the CLV3 signal independent of CLV2/CRN for shoot apical meristem maintenance, also play a role in nematode CLE perception. Localization studies showed that both receptors are expressed in nematode-induced syncytia. Infection assays with clv1 and rpk2 single mutants revealed a decrease in both nematode infection and syncytium size. Significantly, further reduction in nematode infection was observed when rpk2 was combined with clv1 and clv2 mutants. Taken together, our results indicate that parallel signaling pathways involving CLV1, CLV2, and RPK2 are important for nematode parasitism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Arabidopsis / cytology
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis / parasitology
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Beta vulgaris / parasitology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genotype
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Plant Diseases / parasitology*
  • Plant Leaves
  • Plant Roots / cytology
  • Plant Roots / parasitology
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Seedlings / cytology
  • Seedlings / parasitology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tylenchoidea / cytology
  • Tylenchoidea / physiology*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • CLV2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • CLV1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • receptor-like protein kinase 2, Arabidopsis