Project description
Inhibiting parasitism of root-knot nematodes to prevent crop disease
Certain species of microscopic nematodes (roundworms) are parasitic to plants. Infestations of root-knot nematodes can be particularly destructive to a wide range of crop plants. Therefore, determining the agent that triggers their parasitic nature could lead to its inhibition and prevent crop loss. The EU-funded Mi-DOG project will investigate the genomic mechanism that causes the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita to infest plant roots, bringing about disease. Using knowledge of the non-coding DNA sequence of the nematode’s dorsal gland promoter, the project will identify the associated protein complex or “reader” that is responsible for plant parasitism using advanced CRISPR-mediated (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) methodologies.
Objective
My proposal aims to understand how root-knot nematodes cause disease in the host plant.
Understanding how these parasitic worms cause disease is important because they have a worldwide distribution, they infect thousands of different plant species, and ultimately they represent a major constraint on achieving food security in Europe and beyond.
In this proposal I will link my expertise in root-knot nematodes at molecular and proteomic levels, with the host group expertise in the regulation of parasitism genes, to understand how the most economically damaging root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita successfully controls the process of plant-parasitism.
My proposal builds on the recent discovery of a non-coding DNA motif that is specifically enriched in the promoter regions of approximately 100 genes expressed in the root-knot Meloidogyne incognita dorsal gland (named Mi-DOG box). This discovery leads to two important ideas: Firstly, given that many effector proteins produced in this gland are delivered into the plant during infection, the Mi-DOG promoter is probably involved in the regulation of parasitism. Secondly, being a non-coding DNA motif, the Mi-DOG box is probably recognized by an associated protein or protein complex, a “reader” that coordinates the expression of secreted parasitism proteins, and ultimately orchestrates the process of plant parasitism.
In a formal connection between two world-class research institutions, the main objectives of my proposal are therefore to: 1) Identify the “readers” of Mi-DOG box using a combination of well-established and highly-innovative CRISPR-mediated methodologies, and 2) characterize the spatio-temporal expression pattern and functional role of these “readers” in M. incognita parasitism.
Overall, my proposal describes a novel scientific approach to address an emerging area of great promise with considerable translational potential, and ultimately to open up my best career opportunities for the future.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
69622 Villeurbanne Cedex
France