title: Analysis of Metabolites in Stem Parasitic Plant Interactions: Interaction of Cuscuta-Momordica versus Cassytha-Ipomoea.
abstract: CuscutaandCassythaare two well-known stem parasitic plant genera with reduced leaves and roots, inducing haustoria in their stems. Their similar appearance in the field has been recognized, but few comparative studies on their respective plant interactions are available. To compare their interactions, we conducted a metabolite analysis of both theCassytha-Ipomoeaand theCuscuta-Momordicainteraction. We investigated the energy charge of the metabolites by UFLC (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography), and conducted GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis for polar metabolites (e.g., saccharides, polyols) and steroids. The energy charge after parasitization changed considerably inCassythabut not inCusucta.Cuscutachanged its steroid pattern during the plant interaction, whereasCassythadid not. In the polar metabolite analysis, the laminaribiose increase after parasitization was conspicuous inCuscuta, but not inCassytha. This metabolite profile difference points to different lifestyles and parasitic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural and Environmental Science, Teikyo University of Science, 2-2-1 Senju-sakuragi, Adachi, Tokyo 120-0045, Japan. Takeshi_FR@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furuhashi
authors.affiliation: Molecular Structure Characterization Unit, RIKEN CSRS, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan. takemi@riken.go.jp.
authors.forename: Takemichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural and Environmental Science, Teikyo University of Science, 2-2-1 Senju-sakuragi, Adachi, Tokyo 120-0045, Japan. kiwase@ntu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwase
keywords: Cassytha; Cuscuta; plant interaction; stem parasitic plant