Glycine max (soybean) roots and syncytia isolated by laser capture microdissection (LCM) exhibit differential gene expression

Authors: Klink, Vincent; Matthews, Benjamin

Submitted to: Plant Signaling and Behavior
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/4/2007
Publication Date: 9/4/2007
Citation: Klink, V.P., Matthews, B.F. 2007. Glycine max (soybean) roots and syncytia isolated by laser capture microdissection (LCM) exhibit differential gene expression. Plant Signaling and Behavior. 3(2):105-107.

Interpretive Summary: The soybean cyst nematode causes almost one billion dollars in losses to the soybean crop each year in the USA. Better understanding of the resistance and susceptible responses of soybean to nematodes may provide new approaches to developing nematode-resistant soybean. We used a new technique, laser capture microdissection, to isolate cells from which soybean nematodes obtain their nourishment. We determined which genes are expressed in these cells. This information will be useful to scientists working to improve resistance of plants to nematodes using biotechnology and engineering.

Technical Abstract: The soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) is an obligate parasite of soybean (Glycine max). It is the most destructive pathogen of G. max, accounting for approximately 0.46-0.82 billion dollars in crop losses, annually, in the U.S. Part of the infection process involves H. glycines establishing feeding sites (syncytia) that it derives its nourishment from throughout its lifecycle. Microscopic methods (i.e. laser capture microdissection [LCM]) that faithfully dissect out those feeding sites are important improvements to the study of this significant plant pathogen. Our isolation of developing feeding sites during an incompatible or a compatible reaction is providing new ways by which this important plant-pathogen interaction can be studied. We have used these methods to create cDNA libraries, clone genes and perform microarray analyses. Importantly, it is providing insight not only into how the root is responding at the organ level to H. glycines, but also how the syncytium is responding during its maturation into a functional feeding site.