title: Two sides of the same coin: Xyloglucan endotransglucosylases/hydrolases in host infection by the parasitic plant Cuscuta.
abstract: The holoparasitic angiosperm Cuscuta develops haustoria that enable it to feed on other plants. Recent findings corroborate the long-standing theory that cell wall modifications are required in order for the parasite to successfully infect a host, and further suggest that changes to xyloglucan through the activity of xyloglucan endotransglucosylases/hydrolases (XTHs) are essential. On the other hand, XTH expression was also detected in resistant tomato upon an attack by Cuscuta, which suggests that both host and parasite use these enzymes in their "arms race." Here, we summarize existing data on the cell wall-modifying activities of XTHs during parasitization and present a model suggesting how XTHs might function to make the host's resources accessible to Cuscuta.
authors: a Department of Arctic and Marine Biology , Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway ; Dramsveien, Tromsø , Norway.
authors: Stian
authors: S
authors: Olsen
authors: b Botany and Plant Science and Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, National University of Ireland Galway , Galway , Ireland.
authors: Zoë A
authors: ZA
authors: Popper
authors: a Department of Arctic and Marine Biology , Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway ; Dramsveien, Tromsø , Norway.
authors: Kirsten
authors: K
authors: Krause
mesh_terms: D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D034182:Cuscuta / Q000502:physiology*; D016695:Glycosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000469:parasitology*; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D016695:Glycosyltransferases; C473049:xyloglucan - xyloglucosyltransferase
keywords: Cell wall; Cuscuta; host infection; parasitic plant; xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH)