Combined Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses of Low-Temperature Adaptation in <i>Bursaphelenchus xylophilus</i>.

ABSTRACT: Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (PWN), a highly destructive invasive forest pest, has expanded northward in China, even colonizing cold regions, implying evolved low-temperature tolerance. To explore its cold adaptation mechanisms, we selected PWN isolates from diverse origins, screened cold-tolerant strains via low-temperature stress assays, and conducted integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. We also compared invasive and native populations to clarify adaptive pattern differentiation. The results showed that northern Chinese isolates had significantly higher survival rates, with cold tolerance closely linked to lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE). Silencing the LysoPE-related gene BX02G0260 markedly elevated nematode mortality under low temperatures. Unlike native popul

SUBMITTER: Xiong X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12897806 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature