Molecular mechanisms of plant parasitism

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25711019
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Plant molecular biology/Plant physiology
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology (2016-2017); Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (2013-2015)
• Principal Investigator: Yoshida Satoko 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, 研究推進機構, 特任准教授 (20450421)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 寄生植物 / 遺伝学 / 変異体 / ハマウツボ科 / ゲノム / 次世代シーケンサー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Parasitic plants in Orobanchaceae are noxious agricultural pests that affects millions of people's life. However the genetic programs that control plant parasitism remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying plant parasitism using a model parasitic plant Phtheirospermum japonicum. We have screened P. japonicum mutants that have defects in host interaction and haustoirum formation. The genome of P. japonicum was sequenced and re-sequencing of the mutant lines successfully identified the responsible gene for the phenotype. This study provide us new tools to identify key genes in host and parasitic plant interaction.

Free Research Field

分子植物生理学