Nematode resistance in plants: the battle underground

Parasitic nematodes infect thousands of plant species, but some plants harbor specific resistance genes that defend against these pests. Several nematode resistance genes have been cloned in plants, and most resemble other plant resistance genes. Nematode resistance is generally characterized by host plant cell death near or at the feeding site of the endoparasitic worm. The timing and localization of the resistance response varies with the particular resistance gene and nematode interaction. Although there is genetic evidence that single genes in the nematode can determine whether a plant mounts a resistance response, cognate nematode effectors corresponding to a plant resistance gene have not been identified. However, recent progress in genetics and genomics of both plants and nematodes, and developments in RNA silencing strategies are improving our understanding of the molecular players in this complex interaction. In this article, we review the nature and mechanisms of plant–nematode interactions with respect to resistance in plants.