Heterodera schachtii Bactericidal Permeability-increasing protein (Hs-BPI) is a parasitism-related gene

Abstract

Abstract Cyst nematodes are obligate parasites that feed on a wide range of plant species by inducing a specific nurse cell system (syncytium) in the host root. Nematode effectors play a key role in the induction and maintenance of the syncytia. Effectors encoded by parasitism genes are typically produced in the nematode esophageal glands and secreted into the affected plant tissue. One of the main challenges in understanding cyst nematode parasitism has been identifying effectors and then deciphering their mechanistic role in parasitism. In this study, we investigated a protein annotated as a Bactericidal Permeability-increasing protein (BPI) from the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii. Hs-BPI is highly conserved among cyst nematodes, and the gene is upregulated in expression during early stages of nematode parasitism. In situ hybridization revealed that Hs-BPI localizes to the nematode esophageal glands. Knocking down Hs-BPI by host-delivered dsRNA negatively affected development of H. schachtii females. Our data indicate a role of BPI proteins in cyst nematode parasitism.