Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are microscopic roundworms that can cause significant damage to plant roots. The nematodes induce the formation of specialized feeding structures called giant cells, which they use to extract nutrients and water from the plant. To do so, they secrete proteins called effectors into the host tissue. This project aims at a detailed investigation of several RKN effectors to shed light on their role in hijacking the plant system to enable successful parasitism. The future plan to get more insight is dependent on the effector and its target. Some examples under study are

1. Effector MSP18 interacts with the kinase BSK, important in brassinosteroid signaling and in pattern triggered immunity;
2. Transcription factor TCP15 is a target for multiple effector proteins and plays a role in development and immunity.

Analysis of these effector-plant target interactions will give more insight in the development of giant cells and the suppression of plant immunity during RKN infection.