Identification of putative expansin-like genes from the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, and evolution of the expansin gene family within the Nematoda

Kikuchi, T., Li, H., Karim, N., Kennedy, M.W. , Moens, M. and Jones, J.T. (2009) Identification of putative expansin-like genes from the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, and evolution of the expansin gene family within the Nematoda. Nematology, 11(3), pp. 355-364. (doi: 10.1163/156854109X446953)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156854109X446953

Abstract

We report the cloning and characterisation of genes encoding expansin-like proteins from the pine wood nematodes, <i>Bursaphelenchus xylophilus</i> and <i>B. mucronatus</i>. A small family of genes is present in both species and the <i>Bursaphelenchus</i> genes are most similar to expansins and expansin-like proteins from the potato cyst nematode <i>Globodera rostochiensis</i> and root-knot nematodes. Molecular modelling suggests that the genes could encode a protein with a structure similar to that of functionally characterised expansins. Expression analysis showed that the <i>Bursaphelenchus</i> expansin-like genes are expressed solely in the pharyngeal gland cells, implying a role in the host-parasite interaction, most likely in assisting migration through the plant. Some <i>G. rostochiensis</i> and root-knot nematode expansins are composed of a carbohydrate-binding domain coupled to an expansin domain but no carbohydrate binding domain is present on any of the <i>Bursaphelenchus</i> sequences. We suggest a model for evolution of the expansin gene family within the plant-parasitic nematodes of the Tylenchida and Aphelenchida

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Evolution, Horizontal gene transfer, host-parasite interactions, molecular biology
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kennedy, Professor Malcolm
Authors: Kikuchi, T., Li, H., Karim, N., Kennedy, M.W., Moens, M., and Jones, J.T.
Subjects:Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
Journal Name:Nematology
ISSN:1388-5545

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