Volatile sex pheromones in nematodes and mimicry by a predator

Abstract :

Chemical communication influences a wide range of physiological and behavioral changes within and across species. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, glycosylated lipids called ascarosides are known to regulate development, mating, and social behavior. While the existence of volatile pheromones has been hypothesized, their molecular identity and perception mechanisms remain largely unknown. Our research has successfully identified volatile sex pheromones produced by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the pine wood nematode, a globally important pest of forest ecosystems. Using transmission electron microscopy, we reconstructed serial sections of the nematode head and identified 13 distinct neuronal cell types potentially involved in pheromone perception. By integrating laser ablation techniques and genetic analyses, we are unraveling the molecular basis of this pheromone perception process. In parallel, our study of Caenorhabditis species has revealed a fascinating ecological interaction. We have identified a sex pheromone emitted by males that is chemically identical to a key odorant produced by nematode-trapping fungi. This finding suggests an evolutionary strategy in which the fungi mimic nematode pheromones to attract their prey. Join us as we unravel the chemical "language" of nematodes, especially plant-parasitic nematodes - how they communicate, how they interact with their environment, and how this knowledge could pave the way for new approaches to managing parasitic species and understanding ecological networks.

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