Functional Characterization of ShK Domain-Containing Protein in the Plant-Parasitic Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

ABSTRACT: ShK domain-containing proteins are peptides found in different parasitic and venomous organisms. From a previous transcriptomic dataset from Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, a plant-parasitic nematode that infects forest tree species, we identified 96 transcripts potentially as ShK domain-containing proteins with unknown function in the nematode genome. This study aimed to characterize and explore the functional role of genes encoding ShK domain-containing proteins in B. xylophilus biology. We selected and functionally analyzed nine candidate genes that are putatively specific to B. xylophilus. In situ hybridization revealed expression of one B. xylophilus ShK in the pharyngeal gland cells, suggesting their delivery into host cells. Most of the transcripts are highly

SUBMITTER: Mendonca M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10857297 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature