Cell Wall Localization of Two DUF642 Proteins, BIIDXI and TEEBE, during Early Inoculation.

The root-knot nematode infects a variety of plants, including . During migration, root-knot nematodes secrete different proteins to modify cell walls, which include pectolytic enzymes. However, the contribution of host cell wall proteins has not been described during this process. The function of two DUF642 cell wall proteins, BIIDXI (BDX, ) and TEEBE (TEB, ), in plant development could be related to the regulation of pectin methyl esterification status in the cell walls of different tissues. Accordingly, the expression of these two genes is up-regulated by auxin. BDX and TEB were highly induced during early inoculation. Moreover, cell wall localization of the proteins was also induced. The cell wall localization of BDX and TEB DUF642 proteins during early inoculation suggested that these two proteins could be involved in the regulation of the degree of pectin methylation during cell separation.