Elucidation of signaling for haustorium organogenesis in parasitic plants

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18H02464
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 44030:Plant molecular biology and physiology-related
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Yoshida Satoko 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 教授 (20450421)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 寄生植物 / 植物ホルモン / 変異体 / 遺伝学 / エチレン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The annual yield loss caused by parasitic plants in Orobanchaceae was estimated as more than 1 billion USD. To understand the molecular mechanisms of plant parasitism, we have employed molecular genetic approaches; isolate mutants that have defects in parasitism and identify the causative genes for the mutants. We used a Japanese native parasitic plant Phtheirospermum japonicum as a model plant, and identify mutants that fail to invade host plants. Next generation sequencing analysis and subsequent genome comparison with wild type successfully identified the mutant causative genes.

Free Research Field

植物分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、ハマウツボ科寄生植物の宿主侵入に植物ホルモンエチレンのシグナル伝達が重要なことを明らかにした。エチレンは農業寄生雑草ストライガの発芽誘導物質としても知られており、本発見によってエチレンやエチレン阻害剤を用いた新たな防除法の開発につながると期待できる。また、寄生植物の変異体からの遺伝子同定法を確立したことで、今後、規制に必須な遺伝子の同定がさらに進むと期待できる。