Long-Distance Transport of Mrna via Parenchyma Cells and Phloem across the Host–Parasite Junction in Cuscuta
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Date
2008
Authors
Rakefet, David-Schwartz
Runo, Steven
Townsley, Brad
Machuka, Jesse
Sinha, Neelima
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
New Phytologist
Abstract
It has been shown that the parasitic plant dodder (Cuscuta pentagona) establishes
a continuous vascular system through which water and nutrients are drawn. Along
with solutes, viruses and proteins, mRNA transcripts are transported from the host
to the parasite. The path of the transcripts and their stability in the parasite have yet
to be revealed.
• To discover the route of mRNA transportation, the in situ reverse transcriptase–
polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was used to locally amplify host
transcript within parasitic tissue. The stability of host mRNA molecules was also
checked by monitoring specific transcripts along the growing dodder thread.
• Four mRNAs, α and β subunits of PYROPHOSPHATE (PPi)-DEPENDENT PHOSPHOFRUCTOKINASE
(LePFP), the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate
carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), and GIBBERELLIC ACID INSENSITIVE (LeGAI),
were found to move from host (tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)) to dodder. LePFP
mRNA was localized to the dodder parenchyma cells and to the phloem. LePFP transcripts
were found in the growing dodder stem up to 30 cm from the tomato–dodder
connection.
• These results suggest that mRNA molecules are transferred from host to parasite via
symplastic connections between parenchyma cells, move towards the phloem, and are
stable for a long distance in the parasite. This may allow developmental coordination
between the parasite and its host.
Description
article
Keywords
Cuscuta, dodder, in situ RT-PCR, long-distance movement, mRNA trafficking, parasite, phloem
Citation
David‐Schwartz, R., Runo, S., Townsley, B., Machuka, J., & Sinha, N. (2008). Long‐distance transport of mRNA via parenchyma cells and phloem across the host–parasite junction in Cuscuta. New Phytologist, 179(4), 1133-1141.