背景回顾：Plants use many long-distance and systemic signals to modulate growth and development, as well as respond to biotic and abiotic stresses. Parasitic nematodes infect host plant roots and cause severe damage to crop plants.

提出问题：However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate parasitic nematode infections are still unknown. 

主要发现：Here, we show that plant parasitic root-knot nematodes (RKNs), Meloidogyne incognita, modulate the host CLAVATA3 (CLV3)/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION (CLE)–CLV1 signaling module to promote the infection progression. 

结果1-功能缺失和过表达表型：Plants deficient in the CLE signaling pathway show enhanced RKN resistance, whereas CLE overexpression leads to increased susceptibility toward RKN. 

结果2-嫁接试验：Grafting analysis shows that CLV1 expression in the shoot alone is sufficient to positively regulate RKN infection. 

结论：Together with results from the split-root culture system, infection assays, and CLE3-CLV1 binding assays, we conclude that mobile root-derived CLE signals are perceived by CLV1 in the shoot, which subsequently produce systemic signals to promote gall formation and RKN reproduction.

植物利用许多长距离和系统性的信号来调控生长和发育，以及对生物和非生物胁迫的响应。寄生线虫侵染寄主植物的根，对作物生产产生严重的损害。但是，调控寄生线虫侵染的分子机制仍不清楚。本文中，作者发现植物寄生性根结线虫Meloidogyne incognita（南方根结线虫）调控寄主植物中的CLE3-CLV1信号转导模块，促进侵染进程。植物在CLE信号转导存在缺陷会导致其对根结线虫的抗性增强，而CLE过表达株系怎会导致其对根结线虫的敏感性增强。嫁接试验显示CLV1在地上部中的表达足以正调控根结线虫的侵染。综合分根培养系统、侵染试验以及CLE3-CLV1结合试验的结果，作者认为来源于根的CLE移动信号能够被地上部中的CLV1感知，继而产生一个系统性信号以促进根瘤的形成和根结线虫的繁殖。

** Shinichiro Sawa **