The nuclear hormone receptor family transcription factor Dd-NHR-1 is required for embryonic development in Ditylenchus destructor

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes can diminish global food production by approximately 12.3%, leading to annual economic losses of nearly $173 billion. Unfortunately, implementing effective preventive and control strategies for plant-parasitic nematodes remains challenging. In this study, we identified and characterized a transcription factor, Dd-NHR-1, which belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) family. The NHR domain and zinc finger domain are both present in the structure of Dd-NHR-1. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that the Dd-nhr-1 gene exhibits the closest evolutionary distance to NHRs of other nematodes. Our findings demonstrate that the colonization numbers of Ditylenchus destructor in storage roots treated with Dd-nhr-1 dsRNA are reduced by 65.70%. Additionally, silencing the expression of the Dd-nhr-1 gene in eggs resulted in a 66.83% decrease in the egg hatching rate. RT-qPCR data indicate that Dd-nhr-1 is highly expressed in the second-stage juveniles and eggs, whereas in situ hybridization reveals its localization in the anterior region of the nematodes. The ChIP-seq experiment confirmed its role as an upstream transcription factor, regulating numerous target genes and playing a crucial role in embryonic development. In summary, Dd-NHR-1 is a critical regulatory factor in embryonic development and serves as a potential target for D. destructor prevention with significant economic importance.

Keywords

Ditylenchus destructor / embryonic development / infectivity / nuclear hormone receptor / plant-parasitic nematode

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2025 The Author(s). New Plant Protection published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.