Interspecific communication between pinewood nematode, its insect vector, and associated microbes

Trends Parasitol. 2014 Jun;30(6):299-308. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2014.04.007. Epub 2014 May 5.

Abstract

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is perhaps the most serious threat to pine forests worldwide. The causative agent of PWD, the pinewood nematode (PWN), engages in a symbiotic partnership with its insect vector, the Monochamus beetle, as well as associated bacteria and ophiostomatoid fungi, in order to successfully infect and kill its host pine tree. This review focuses on the interspecific communication between PWN and its associated partners, and the potential role of this communication in promoting pathogenicity and invasiveness of PWN. We describe the chemical and molecular signals positively influencing the survival, reproduction, and spread of PWN. Knowledge of these signals could potentially be used to interfere with the proliferation and dispersal of PWN.

Keywords: Bursaphelenchus xylophilus; Monochamus; associated microbes; invasive species; ophiostomatoid fungi; pine wilt disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
  • Coleoptera / microbiology*
  • Coleoptera / parasitology*
  • Fungi / physiology*
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Nematoda / microbiology*
  • Nematoda / physiology*
  • Pinus / parasitology*