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Neuromuscular function in plant parasitic nematodes: a target for novel control strategies?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 March 2006

M. J. KIMBER  and
C. C. FLEMING
M. J. KIMBER
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. 50011, USA
C. C. FLEMING
Affiliation:
Applied Plant Science, Queen's University Belfast, Newforge Lane, Belfast. BT9 5PX, UK Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX, UK
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Abstract

Over the last decade the need for new strategies and compounds to control parasitic helminths has become increasingly urgent. The neuromuscular systems of these worms have been espoused as potential sources of target molecules for new drugs which may address this need. One facet of helminth neuromuscular biology which has garnered considerable research interest is that of neuropeptidergic neurotransmission, particularly regarding parasites of humans and animals, as well as free-living nematode model species. This research interest has been piqued by the fact that neuropeptides have been demonstrated to be fundamentally important to nematode biology and thus may be of utility in this search for new drug targets. This review focuses on the neuropeptide biology of plant parasitic nematodes, a subject which has been comparatively neglected despite the fact that the search for alternative control measures also extends to these economically important parasites. We focus on the FMRFamide-like peptide (FLP) neuropeptides and the complexity and distribution of this peptide family in plant parasitic nematodes. Possible roles for FLPs in plant parasitic nematode behaviour, as elucidated by a combination of molecular imaging techniques and RNA interference (RNAi), are discussed. We propose that disruption of FLP neurosignalling in plant parasitic nematodes represents a novel form of pest control and speculate as to how this may be achieved.

Keywords

Nematodeplant parasitic nematodeneuropeptideFMRFamide-like peptideFLPindirect immunocytochemistryin situ hybridizationRNAi

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 131 , Supplement S1: Parasite neuromusculature and its utility as a drug target , October 2005 , pp. S129 - S142
Copyright
2005 Cambridge University Press

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