A unique phytochrome B gene in Cuscuta campestris and its responses during the initial stage of haustorium formation.

ABSTRACT: Cuscuta, a genus of stem-parasitic plants, requires specific light and touch stimuli for host recognition and haustorium formation. Blue and far-red light promote parasitism, while red light inhibits it, but the roles played by light-responsive genes in the early stages of Cuscuta parasitism remain largely unexplored. This study utilized an in vitro C. campestris haustorium induction system to investigate this issue. RNA-sequence analysis revealed a group of differentially expressed genes that responded to the initiation of haustorium formation. Genes associated with light-signaling pathways, including phytochromes (PHYs), phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs), and homeodomain-leucine zipper I/II transcription factors, were specifically up or downregulated in plants exposed to light for 4

SUBMITTER: Yokoyama T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12441084 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature