Root-knot nematode chemotaxis is positively regulated by <scp>l</scp> -galactose sidechains of mucilage carbohydrate rhamnogalacturonan-I
Allen Yi‐Lun Tsai, Yuka Iwamoto, Yoichi Tsumuraya, Morihiro Oota, Teruko Konishi, Shinsaku Ito, Toshihisa Kotake, Hayato Ishikawa, Shinichiro Sawa
Abstract
and tomato, which resembles the pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I). Fucose and galactose sidechains of the purified attractant were found to be required for attractant activity. Furthermore, the disaccharide α-l-galactosyl-1,3-l-rhamnose, which forms the linkage between the RG-I backbone and galactose sidechains of the purified attractant, was sufficient to attract RKN. These results show that the α-l-galactosyl-1,3-l-rhamnose linkage in the purified attractant from flaxseed mucilage is essential for RKN attraction. The present work also suggests that nematodes can detect environmental chemicals with high specificity, such as the presence of chiral centers and hydroxyl groups.