Characterization of Cuscuta campestris cell wall genes responsible for the haustorial invasion of host plants

Cuscuta is one of the most widespread genera of parasitic plants that subsist on various types of herbaceous angiosperms. Since their hosts include economically important crops, understanding the molecular basis of parasitism in Cuscuta species is critical for crop production. Despite the advances in biology and agriculture, the mechanisms of host plant infection by parasitic plants remain largely unknown. To gain insight into the mechanism of parasitism, we focused on Cuscuta campestris genes encoding enzymes involved in the degradation and modification of host cell walls, and characterized their expression during haustorial invasion. Analysis of previously published RNA-seq data showed that certain genes encoding pectin methylesterases, polygalacturonases, and cellulosecellulase-like enzymes were correlated with the haustorial invasion of host tissues. These data confirm that haustorial invasion by Cuscuta species is facilitated not only by mechanical action but also by the specific biochemical degradation and modification of host cell walls.Keywords: Parasitic plant, haustorium, cell wall, gene family, CAZym