Large-scale mRNA transfer between (Chenopodiaceae) and herbaceous root holoparasite (Orobanchaceae).

Exchanges of mRNA were shown between host and stem parasites but not root parasites. (Orobanchaceae) is a holoparasitic herb which parasitizes on the roots of woody plant (Chenopodiaceae). We used transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatic analyses to identify nearly ten thousand mobile mRNAs. Transcript abundance appears to be a driving force for transfer event and mRNA exchanges occur through haustorial junction. Mobility of selected mRNAs was confirmed and in sunflower- heterologous parasitic system. Four . →. mobile mRNAs appear to facilitate haustorium development. Of interest, two mobile mRNAs of putative resistance genes and cause root-specific hypersensitive response and retard parasite development, which might contribute to parasitic equilibrium. The present study provides evidence for the large-scale mRNA transfer event between a woody host and a root parasite, and demonstrates the functional relevance of six . genes in host-parasite interactions.