Forest Pathology (2015) 45, 467-473

J.M.S. Cardoso, L. Fonseca, P. Gomes, C. Egas and I. Abrantes (2015)
Molecular characterization and functional analysis of a calponin gene from the pinewood nematode
Forest Pathology 45 (6), 467-473
Abstract: In this study, a cDNA sequence corresponding to the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus unc-87 homolog gene (Bx-unc-87) was identified in B. xylophilus transcriptome and characterized. This cDNA has an 1152-bp-long open-reading frame that is putatively translated into a 383 amino acids peptide. The deduced protein (Bx-UNC-87) contains highly conserved regions of the calponin-like proteins and has high sequence identity to the calponin proteins of other nematodes. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the calponin protein encoded by gene unc-87 is required to maintain the structure of myofilaments in muscle cells of the body wall. The silencing of Bx-unc-87 gene was performed by RNAi, soaking the nematodes in a solution containing dsRNA of this gene. In addition to a no dsRNA control, a non-homologous dsRNA control was also included. The Bx-unc-87 transcription was downregulated in nematodes treated with Bx-unc-87 dsRNA in comparison with the non-dsRNA-treated nematodes. dsRNA-treated nematodes revealed some paralysis and uncoordinated movement in contrast to the regular and sinusoidal movement of the non-treated nematodes. Furthermore, reproduction was reduced in dsRNA-treated nematodes. These results suggest that this protein has a function similar to that of the C. elegans homolog.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Isabel M. de O. Abrantes

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bursaphelenchus xylophilus