The role of Caenorhabditis elegans sex-determination homologs, Mi-sdc-1 and Mi-tra-1 in Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract Sex determination is a key developmental event in all organisms. The pathway that regulates sexual fate has been well characterized at the molecular level model free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . This study aims to gain preliminary understanding of sex-determining pathways plant-parasitic Meloidogyne incognita , and extent which roles sex genes are conserved hermaphrodite species, C. M. In this study, we targeted two orthologues, sdc-1 tra-1 from using RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi was performed by soaking second-stage juveniles solution containing dsRNA either Mi-tra-1 or Mi-sdc-1 both. To determine effect target genes, treated with were inoculated onto susceptible cultivar cowpea grown nutrient pouch 28 °C for 5 weeks. development nematodes analyzed different time points during growth period compared untreated controls. Our results showed neither nor have significant role regulating However, silencing significantly delayed maturity adult females but did not affect egg production mature females. contrast, downregulation transcript resulted reduction both single combinatorial RNAi-treated nematodes. indicate may adopted divergent function distinct spp. might an essential female fecundity promising root-knot (RKN) management host-delivered RNAi.