Deciphering plant immunity against parasites

Nematodes are known to have a parasitic relationship with important agricultural crops such as wheat, soybeans, and bananas.  The nematodes bore into the plants and withdraw water and nutrients from them.  This process damages the plant and can cause root and shoot structural damage, as well as leave the plant susceptible for further infection from other pathogens.  The plants however, may be able to prevent this without the use of pesticides.  The plant thale cress was found to have a specific gene, NILR1, that can help the plant sense the presence of a nematode and therefore turn on immune responses to protect itself.  This gene was shown to be conserved among numerous crop plants, and although other genes have been shown to provide resistance to nematodes, this one does so on a much larger scale.  This gene is thought to be turned on by a specific molecule possessed by the nematodes, although this exact molecule has yet to be identified.  The discovery of this gene opens up many possibilities for sustainable farming, including specific breeding to pass the gene along to other plants.  This could be vital in the future because nematodes have been known to decrease certain crop yields be over ten percent.  

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Further Research

How the Genes of One Species of Snail Can Fight Against Schitosomisis

A group of genes that has been recently discovered by researchers at Oregon State University in a particular species of snail has been found to provide a natural resistance to the flatworm parasite that causes schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis--also know as bilharzia--is a devastating parasitic disease cause by flatworms that affects more than 200 million people worldwide; however, it was originally native to Africa. The disease can cause chronic, lifelong disability that begins with gastrointestinal problems, of which can lead to liver damage, kidney failure, infertility, and bladder cancer. It is also considered one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) since not many are aware of the large impact schistosomiasis has despite the fact that it is second to malaria as the most devastating parasitic disease.

The parasites that cause this disease live in certain types of snails.  The infectious form of the parasite emerges from the snail and thus, contaminates the water people use. It is for this reason that researchers have begun studying snails to further understand the transmission cycle of the disease. As it turns out, researchers have discovered a new class of genes in a species of snails that appears to be responsible for controlling the ability to resist schistosomiasis. They found that the dominant form of the genetic allele in this region reveals an eight-fold decrease in the risk of schistosomiasis.

These genes were found to be the type to help recognize pathogens and trigger an immune response--with further research, the exact genetics will be better understood. Nonetheless, this new discovery has now opened doors for efforts in treating or controlling schistosomiasis. Using this new information, the development of a new drug could be used to prevent the disease or scientists may attempt to inject the parasite-resistant genes into snails that are not resistant to schistosomiasis--this method, however, is less practical. Although there is still much research and experimentation that must be completed first, this discovery has been critical in opening pathways for new potential treatments to control and prevent this highly debilitating disease.

Original Article: click here.
About Schistosomiasis: click here.