Formation of wall openings in root cells of Arabidopsis thaliana following infection by the plant-parasitic nematode Heterodera schachtii

The induction and differentiation of feeding structures (syncytia) of the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana is accompanied by drastic cellular modifications. We investigated the formation of cell wall openings which occurred during syncytium differentiation. At the beginning of syncytium induction, a callose-like layer was deposited inside of the wall of the initial syncytial cell (ISC). First wall dissolutions developed by gradual widening of plasmodesmata between the ISC and neighbouring cells. As a general thickening of syncytial cell walls blocked existing plasmodesmata, other large openings were formed by enzymatic dissolution of intact walls by putative cellulase activity.