Large-scale protein interactome reveals lineage-specific genes driving plant-parasitic nematode adaptive innovations
Mounting evidence suggests that lineage-specific genes drive phenotype diversity. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), among the most destructive plant pathogens, have evolved innovated traits required for plant parasitism, yet the genetic basis remains unclear. Here, we identify PPN lineage-specific genes (PPNLSGs) and analyze the large-scale protein interactome of their encoded proteins (PPNLSPs). By using yeast two-hybrid assays, we identify 2705 protein-protein interactions involving PPNLSPs from stem nematode <i>Ditylenchus destructor</i>, and by using computational methods, we predict conserved interactions of <i>D. destructor</i> proteins at the genome-wide level. Integration of these data allows generating a comprehensive protein interactome map, showing established complexes and PPNLSP modules, and allowing functional annotations for 306 uncharacterized PPNLSPs. Among these interactions, we identify multiple PPNLSPs associated with chemotaxis and infectivity based on these PPNLSP modules and propose a chemotaxis pathway model of host seeking. Our study indicates PPNLSGs as drivers of PPN adaptive innovations and provides a reference resource for future research on PPN biology and control strategies.
Authors
- Ming Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5465-5983)
- Feng Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7327-2969)
- Mengci Xu
- Alejandra Bravo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7573-7475)
- Mário Soberón (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1593-9227)
- Chuanshuai Xie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7239-2347)
- Yangjie Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4120-0845)
- Jinshui Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0147-5900)
- Yangyang Chen
- Donghai Peng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4918-2357)
- Hualin Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3630-5522)
- Fanling Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8344-2449)
- Dexin Bo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4280-1249)
- Dadong Dai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0955-3889)
- Xudong Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0524-6128)
- Ling Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7785-9305)
- Kai Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8955-877X)
- Chunxiao Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2193-4411)
- Yanli Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1145-6914)
- Si Gao
- Zhonglin Liu
- Guoqiang Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1491-8309)
- Boyan Hu
Institutions
- Huazhong Agricultural University (CN)
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (MX)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Science Advances
- Published
- 2025-08-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adt5107
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.75