Analysis of Root-Knot nematode Resistant and Susceptible Genes in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) roots and Effects of microRNA inhibition on nematode viability

Abstract

Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are one of the most impactful pests on multiple species of plants that are important globally costing $100-150 billion annual revenue loss. One of the most impactful species of PPNs is Meloidogyne incognita (M. incognita). M. incognita are known as the root-knot nematode due to the nodules that are created on the roots that the nematodes spend their life cycle from their second juvenile stage. This is through the interaction of effector proteins that are excreted through the nematode's esophageal glands and stylet during the infection process. In response, plants have genes that are both susceptible to and resistant to the PPN infection process. Susceptible genes are modulated by these effector proteins to create the optimal environment for the nematodes to inhabit. Resistant genes are those that are not manipulated by the effector proteins and have been noted to inhibit the infection of the root tissues. We have identified 6 anti-miRNAs that showed to have an impact on the viability of C. elegans and are also known to be present within M. incognita. These anti-miRNAs all showed decreases in the viability of the C. elegans within a 72-hour period. We also identified 25 possible susceptible and resistant genes that are present within the Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genome. These genes were all shown to be expressed in the genome as a baseline for the expression of these genes.