plant-pathogen-interaction
Plant-pathogen interaction is the study of how disease-causing organisms — including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes — invade and infect plant hosts, and how plants in turn detect and respond to these threats. Understanding these molecular and cellular battles is central to plant biology, as pathogens are a leading cause of crop loss worldwide. Research in this field drives the development of disease-resistant cultivars and sustainable strategies to protect both agricultural and wild plant populations.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-05-01
Scientists have identified specific sugar-transport genes in root-knot nematodes that the parasites use at different life stages to invade plant roots and steal nutrients, opening new avenues for targeted crop protection.
Two SWEET genes (Mi-SWEET2 and Mi-SWEET4) drive root invasion in juvenile nematodes — knocking them down reduced invasion success.
Three other SWEET genes (Mi-SWEET3, 5, and 7) are required for post-invasion growth and nutrient uptake; silencing them stunted nematode development inside the root.
A regulatory chain was identified: the microRNA let-7 controls the transcription factor HBL1, which in turn controls Mi-SWEET3 expression, revealing a three-layer molecular switch governing parasite feeding.