Solanum tuberosum Glucan Synthase-Like 05 is involved in root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla parasitism

Authors: BALI, SAPINDER - Washington State University; SOBCZAK, MIROSLAW - Warsaw University Of Life Sciences; Peng, Hao; GLEASON, CYNTHIA - Washington State University

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2025
Publication Date: 12/25/2025
Citation: Bali, S., Sobczak, M., Peng, H., Gleason, C. 2025. Solanum tuberosum Glucan Synthase-Like 05 is involved in root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla parasitism. Scientific Reports. 16. Article 3632. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-33647-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-33647-7

Interpretive Summary: Callose is a carbohydrate component of plant cell walls. Deposition of callose in roots and leaves is closely associated with plant defense against various pathogens. However, it is still unclear how plant callose deposition affect nematode infections. Here we identified a potato plant enzyme, Glucan Synthase-Like 05 (StGSL05), that mediates callose deposition in potato plants during root-knot nematode infections. Silencing the gene encoding StGSL05 reduced callose deposition, which facilitated juvenile nematodes to penetrate potato roots and form galls, but interfered with successive feeding site formation at the later infection stage. Our findings reveal the dual and somewhat opposite roles of potato callose deposition in nematode infection. Managing plant callose deposition in a stage- or tissue-specific manner may enhance crop resistance to nematodes.

Technical Abstract: The potato gene encoding the Glucan Synthase-Like 05 plays a role in defense-related callose deposition in roots and leaves. We further investigated the role of GSL05-mediated callose deposition in potatoes during root-knot nematode (RKN) infections. Silencing GSL05 in potato resulted in reduced elicitor-induced callose deposition. When StGSL05 knockdown plants were inoculated with nematodes, more second-stage juveniles (J2s) successfully penetrated the root system and formed galls, suggesting a weakened callose-based physical barrier against nematode invasion and supporting the hypothesis that StGSL05 contributes to basal defense. Despite the increased nematode penetration and gall formation, the StGSL05 knockdown plants did not exhibit more egg masses or total number of eggs. This suggested that while more nematodes penetrated, fewer progressed to reproductive maturity. Microscopic analysis revealed defective feeding site formation in these plants, indicating that disrupted callose deposition impairs feeding cell development, critical for nematode parasitism. These findings underscore the dual role of callose: while it provides early defense against nematode invasion, its disruption can also interfere with the feeding cells. It highlights a nuanced role for callose in early defense and its potential for enhancing crop resistance to RKNs.