Abstract
A new strategy to identify pathogenicity factors from the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis is developed. cDNA-AFLP technology and in situ hybridization allowed us to efficiently select putative pathogenicity factors among thousands of expressed genes. As a result, an unprecedented number of putative pathogenicity factors from this obligatory plant parasite were cloned.
A powerful bioinformatics tool named GenEST to link expression data generated from cDNA-AFLP directly to cDNA sequence data was developed. This computer program would be very useful for functional genomics studies in other systems as well.
A RanBPM (Ran-Binding Protein in Microtubule organization)-like gene family was identified. The proteins encoded by these genes are probably secreted by the nematode into plant cells and might manipulate the host cell development by changing the dynamic instability of microtubules.
A promoter region from the potato cyst nematode was shown to be functional in a distantly related nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans . This promoter could be a valuable tool to drive gene expression in transgenic plant-parasitic nematode species to assess the relative importance of putative pathogenicity factors.
A paper based from one chapter of this thesis will be submitted to Science. In view of their press embargo policy, I will not discussed the detail of this particular finding here.
| Original language | English |
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| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisors/Advisors |
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| Award date | 5 Oct 2001 |
| Place of Publication | S.l. |
| Print ISBNs | 9789058084521 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Oct 2001 |
Keywords
- plant parasitic nematodes
- globodera rostochiensis
- pathogenicity
- complementary dna
- polymorphism
- gene expression
- molecular genetics
- bioinformatics