Abstract:

Root-knot nematodes（Meloidogyne spp.）are obligate endoparasitic nematodes with features of wide distribution, various hosts, and serious harm. It causes huge economic losses to crops annually, and is one of the most harmful nematodes on crops. When infecting plant root systems, root-knot nematodes induce the re-differentiation of vascular cells at the root tips into multinucleate giant cells, which serve as feeding sites and sole source of nutrients for the nematodes. These cells become the sole source of nutrients for the growth and development of the nematodes. Forming and maintaining ning giant cells are crucial for the growth and reproduction of the nematode. Based on forming of the giant cells and their regulatory mechanisms induced by root-knot nematodes, this paper focuses on the structure of giant cells, cell cycle changes during giant cell formation, nutrient transport, hormone regulation, and the recognition, defense and expression patterns of host plants, and discuses the functions of root-knot nematode effector proteins in the process of giant cell formation. Through the review of the multi-level research progress on the formation and regulation mechanism of giant cells and the molecular mechanism of nematode-plant interaction, it sheds light on the pathogenic mechanisms of root-knot nematodes, aiming to inspire innovative strategies for future research and control of these nematodes.

Key words: root-knot nematode, host, feeding site, giant cells, formation mechanism