title: Catalases Induction in High Virulence Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus under Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Stress.
abstract: Considered an EPPO A2 quarantine pest, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the causal agent of the pine wilt disease and the most devastating plant parasitic nematode attacking coniferous trees in the world. In the early stages of invasion, this nematode has to manage host defence mechanisms, such as strong oxidative stress. Only successful, virulent nematodes are able to tolerate the basal plant defences, and furthermore migrate and proliferate inside of the host tree. In this work, our main objective was to understand to what extent B. xylophilus catalases are involved in their tolerance to oxidative stress and virulence, using as oxidant agent the reactive oxygen species hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). After 24 hours of exposure, high virulence isolates of B. xylophilus could withstand higher H2O2 concentrations in comparison with low virulence B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus, corroborating our observation of Bxy-ctl-1 and Bxy-ctl-2 catalase up-regulation under the same experimental conditions. Both catalases are expressed throughout the nematode intestine. In addition, transgenic strains of Caenorhabditis elegans overexpressing B. xylophilus catalases were constructed and evaluated for survival under similar conditions as previously. Our results suggest that catalases of high virulence B. xylophilus were crucial for nematode survival under prolonged exposure to in vitro oxidative stress, highlighting their adaptive response, which could contribute to their success in host conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biology, College of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan; ICAAM-Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cláudia S L
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Vicente
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biology, College of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoriko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ikuyo
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biology, College of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan; HHMI and Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ryoji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shinya
authors.affiliation: ICAAM-Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biology, College of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics; D002374:Catalase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D009348:Nematoda / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D028223:Pinus / Q000469:parasitology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014774:Virulence / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002374:Catalase