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2005 Progress Report: Development of Methods for Control of Parasitic Nematodes
EPA Grant Number: X832282Center: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Center Director: Beachy, Roger N.
Title: Development of Methods for Control of Parasitic Nematodes
Investigators: Taylor, Christopher G. , Hresko, Michelle C. , Jez, Joseph M. , McCarter, James P. , Schubert, Karel , Shortt, Barry J. , Williams, Deryck J.
Institution: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
EPA Project Officer: Lasat, Mitch
Project Period: April 1, 2005 through December 31, 2008
Project Period Covered by this Report: April 1, 2005 through December 31, 2006
Project Amount: $969,000
RFA: Targeted Research Center (2004)
Research Category: Targeted Research , Hazardous Waste/Remediation
Description:
Objective:The development of new methods of nematode control requires a better understanding of the parasite and the parasitism process. To this end, scientists at Divergence and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center are elucidating the basic biology of nematode parasitism and using that information to produce novel methods of nematode control. The objectives of this research project are to: (1) develop and characterize new nematicidal molecules based on identified nematode-specific methyltransferase targets; (2) develop and characterize new nematicidal molecules based on identified nematode-specific amino acid metabolism targets; (3) identify and characterize feeding site genes using laser-capture microdissection; and (4) identify and characterize new nematode target genes using laser-capture microdissection.
Progress Summary:During Year 1 of the project, we have successfully identified inhibitors for two essential methyltransferases. The mechanism of inhibition has been determined, and new inhibitors have been developed using the initial inhibitors as a scaffold. In addition to identifying these inhibitors, the laser-capture microdissection system has been set up, and the methods to identify potential new gene targets in the nematode-feeding site are being developed. A base-line set of microarrays (1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks postinoculation) has been completed from which RNA from laser-captured cells will be compared. Finally, for the identification of new nematode-gene targets, the preservation and sectioning of nematodes currently is being optimized to ensure the isolation of specific target tissues.
Seminar Series
We have initiated a series of seminars focusing on rhizosphere biology. These seminars are held once a month, are advertised at regional universities and companies, and are open to the public. All speakers get an opportunity to meet with local researchers who wish to discuss their research.
Future Activities:In Year 2 of the project, Objectives 1 and 2 will continue to be expanded to identify and test inhibitors of the nematode-specific methyltransfersases and amino acid metabolism targets. For Objective 3, optimization of laser-capture microdissection methods will be completed, and RNA will be isolated from captured giant cells for microarray analysis. For Objective 4, we will continue with the preparation of nematodes and the optimization of RNA isolation from nematode intestinal cells for library production.
Journal Articles: 5 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other center views: | All 15 publications | 5 publications in selected types | All 5 journal articles |
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Brendza KM, Haakenson W, Cahoon RE, Hicks LM, Palavalli LH, Chiapelli BJ, McLaird M, McCarter JP, Williams DJ, Hresko MC, Jez JM. Phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PMT-1) catalyses the first reaction of a new pathway for phosphocholine biosynthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans. The Biochemical Journal 2007;404(3):439-448. |
X832282 (2006) |
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Jez JM. Phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis as a potential target for inhibition of metabolism in parasitic nematodes. Current Enzyme Inhibition 2007;3(2):133-142. |
X832282 (2006) |
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Palavalli LH, Brendza KM, Haakenson W, Cahoon RE, McLaird M, Hicks LM, McCarter JP, Williams DJ, Hresko MC, Jez JM. Defining the role of phosphomethylethanolamine N-methyltransferase from Caenorhabditis elegans in phosphocholine biosynthesis by biochemical and kinetic analysis. Biochemistry 2006;45(19):6056-6065. |
X832282 (2005) X832282 (2006) |
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Romanyuk ND, Rigden DJ, Vatamaniuk OK, Lang A, Cahoon RE, Jez JM, Rea PA. Mutagenic definition of a papain-like catalytic triad, sufficiency of the N-terminal domain for single-site core catalytic enzyme acylation, and C-terminal domain for augmentative metal activation of a eukaryotic phytochelatin synthase. Plant Physiology 2006;141(3):858-869. |
X832201 (2006) X832201 (Final) |
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Wei B, Randich AM, Bhattacharyya-Pakrasi M, Pakrasi HB, Smith TJ. Possible regulatory role for the histidine-rich loop in the zinc transport protein, ZnuA. Biochemistry 2007;46(30):8734-8743. |
X832201 (Final) |
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nematode, root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), methyltransferase, phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferases, sinefungin, S-adenosyl homocysteine, laser-capture microdissection,
Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract
2006 Progress Report