# IAA-Mediated Haustorium Formation in Phelipanche aegyptiaca: Transcriptional Insights and Anti-Parasitic Strategies

## TL;DR

This study explores how the parasitic weed Phelipanche aegyptiaca forms haustoria using transcriptomics, revealing key molecular processes and potential strategies for controlling it.

## Contribution

The study provides novel insights into the transcriptional mechanisms of haustorium formation in P. aegyptiaca triggered by indole-3-acetic acid.

## Key findings

- Cell proliferation is highest at the radicle tip during early haustorium formation.
- Upregulated genes are linked to DNA replication and plant hormone signaling.
- Downregulated genes are associated with secondary metabolite biosynthesis.

## Abstract

Phelipanche aegyptiaca is an obligate root-parasitic weed that parasitizes crop roots, threatening the safety of agricultural production. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of P. aegyptiaca haustorium remain largely unclear. Here, we employed transcriptomics to investigate the molecular events in P. aegyptiaca haustorium formation induced by indole-3-acetic acid. Our study revealed that during P. aegyptiaca haustorium formation, the cell proliferation activity at the tip of the radicle was highest during the young stage and then gradually declined. The differentially expressed genes upregulated during haustorium formation were mainly enriched in DNA replication and plant hormone signal transduction, while those that were downregulated were enriched in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Additionally, interfering with the auxin signal weakened the parasitic ability of P. aegyptiaca. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanism of P. aegyptiaca haustorium formation and contribute to the targeted development of new pesticides for inhibiting P. aegyptiaca.