Balios Vasili A, Fischer Karsten, Bawin Thomas, Krause Kirsten
Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Ann Bot. 2025 May 9;135(5):823-840. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcae208.
Research on the parasitic plant genus Cuscuta has flourished since the genomes of several of its species were published. Most of the research revolves around the iconic infection organ that secures the parasite's sustenance: the haustorium. Interest in understanding the structure-function-regulation relationship of the haustorium is based as much on the wish to find ways to keep the parasite under control as on the opportunities it offers to shed light on various open questions in plant biology.
This review will briefly introduce parasitism among plants, using the genus Cuscuta as the main example, before presenting its haustorium alongside the terminology that is used to describe its architecture. Possible evolutionary origins of this parasitic organ are presented. The haustorium is then followed from its initiation to maturity with regard to the molecular landscape that accompanies the morphological changes and in light of the challenges it must overcome before gaining access to the vascular cells of its hosts. The fact that Cuscuta has an unusually broad host range stresses how efficient its infection strategy is. Therefore, particular consideration will be given in the final section to a comparison with the process of grafting, being the only other type of tissue connection that involves interspecific vascular continuity.
Studies on Cuscuta haustoriogenesis have revealed many molecular details that explain its success. They have also unearthed some mysteries that wait to be solved. With a better understanding of the complexity of the infection with its combination of universal as well as host-specific elements that allow Cuscuta to parasitize on a wide range of host plant species, we may be many steps closer to not only containing the parasite better but also exploiting its tricks where they can serve us in the quest of producing more and better food and fodder.
自几种菟丝子属植物的基因组公布以来，对该寄生植物属的研究蓬勃发展。大多数研究都围绕着确保寄生虫生存的标志性感染器官：吸器展开。对理解吸器的结构 - 功能 - 调控关系的兴趣，既基于想要找到控制这种寄生虫的方法，也基于它为阐明植物生物学中各种未解决问题所提供的机会。
本综述将以菟丝子属为主要例子，简要介绍植物间的寄生现象，然后介绍其吸器以及描述其结构的术语。阐述这种寄生器官可能的进化起源。接着从吸器的起始到成熟，探讨伴随形态变化的分子情况，以及它在接入宿主维管细胞之前必须克服的挑战。菟丝子具有异常广泛的宿主范围这一事实凸显了其感染策略的高效性。因此，在最后一部分将特别考虑与嫁接过程进行比较，嫁接是唯一涉及种间维管连续性的另一种组织连接类型。
对菟丝子吸器形成的研究揭示了许多解释其成功的分子细节。它们也揭示了一些有待解决的谜团。随着对感染复杂性的更好理解，以及其普遍元素与宿主特异性元素的结合使菟丝子能够寄生在多种宿主植物物种上，我们可能在更好地控制这种寄生虫以及利用其技巧为我们生产更多更好的食物和饲料方面迈出许多重要步伐。
