Arabidopsis thaliana Genes Expressed in the Early Compatible Interaction with Root-Knot Nematodes

Abstract

In the compatible interaction between Arabidopsis thaliana and the endoparasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita, galls are formed on the roots of the host plant. Differential display was used to identify alterations of gene expression in young A. thaliana root galls caused by M. incognita. Six genes were confirmed as plant genes by DNA gel blot hybridizations. Significant homology was found with a trypsin inhibitor, peroxidase, mitochondrial uncoupling protein, endomembrane protein, 20S proteasome α-subunit, and diaminopimelate decarboxylase. The cellular and temporal expression of each of the six genes was analyzed by mRNA in situ hybridizations.