Chemoreceptors in plant parasitic nematodes

Abstract

Isolated DNA encoding a nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor is disclosed. Preferably, the encoded nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor is selected from the group consisting of order Tylenchida and order Aphelenchida chemoreceptors. Also disclosed are vectors and cells containing the DNA, the encoded proteins, oligonucleotides that bind thereto, and methods of using the same.

that which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated DNA encoding a nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) isolated DNA having a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, and SEQ ID NO: 6;    (b) isolated DNA that hybridizes to DNA of (a) above under stringent conditions and encodes a nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor; and    (c) isolated DNA that differs from the DNA of (a) or (b) above due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and encodes a nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor encoded by (a) or (b) above.    
     
     
         2 . An isolated DNA according to  claim 1  selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) isolated DNA having a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4 and SEQ ID NO: 6;  
 (b) isolated DNA that hybridizes to DNA of (a) above under stringent conditions in which said isolated DNA does not hybridize to DNA having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and encodes a nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor; and  
 (c) isolated DNA that differs from the DNA of (a) or (b) above due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and encodes a nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor encoded by (a) or (b) above.  
 
     
     
         3 . An isolated DNA according to  claim 1 , which nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor is selected from the group consisting of order Tylenchida and order Aphelenchida chemoreceptors.  
     
     
         4 . An isolated DNA according to  claim 1 , which nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor is selected from the group consisting of cyst nematode, root knot nematode, lesion nematode, and reniform nematode chemoreceptors.  
     
     
         5 . An isolated DNA according to  claim 1  having a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1.  
     
     
         6 . An isolated DNA according to  claim 1 , having a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         7 . An isolated DNA according to  claim 1  having a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 4.  
     
     
         8 . An isolated DNA according to  claim 1  having a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6.  
     
     
         9 . An oligonucleotide that specifically binds to an isolated DNA of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . An oligonucleotide according to  claim 8 , which oligonucleotide comprises DNA or RNA.  
     
     
         11 . An antisense oligonucleotide that specifically binds to an mRNA transcript of a DNA according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         12 . A DNA that encodes an antisense oligonucleotide according to  claim 11 .  
     
     
         13 . A double-stranded RNA that is complementary to a DNA according to  claim 1  and interferes with the expression thereof in a cell that expresses the encoded protein.  
     
     
         14 . An expression cassette comprising a DNA according to  claim 1  and a heterologous promoter operatively associated therewith.  
     
     
         15 . A cell that contains an expression cassette of  claim 14  and expresses said nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor.  
     
     
         16 . A cell according to  claim 15 , which cell is a yeast cell.  
     
     
         17 . A cell according to  claim 15 , which cell is a plant cell.  
     
     
         18 . A cell according to  claim 15 , which cell is an insect cell.  
     
     
         19 . An isolated nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor protein encoded by a DNA of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         20 . A protein or peptide that specifically binds to a protein of  claim 19 .  
     
     
         21 . A protein or peptide according to  claim 20 , wherein said protein or peptide is an antibody.  
     
     
         22 . A protein or peptide according to  claim 21 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         23 . A method of screening a compound for the ability to disrupt plant parasitic nematode feeding or chemotaxis, said method comprising: 
 determining whether or not said compound selectively binds to a nematode guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor protein encoded by a DNA of  claim 1;     the presence of such binding indicating said compound is useful in disrupting plant parasitic nematode feeding or chemotaxis.    
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein said determining step is carried out in vitro.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein said determining step is carried out in vivo in a cell culture comprising cells that expresses said guanylyl cyclase chemoreceptor protein.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein said compound is a member of a combinatorial library.