Potential Molecular Mimicry Proteins Responsive to α-pinene in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

is a nematode species that has damaged pine trees worldwide, but its pathogenesis has not been fully characterized. α-pinene helps protect host species during the early infection and colonization stages. In this study, we identified potential molecular mimicry proteins based on a comparative transcriptomic analysis of . The expression levels of three genes encoding secreted proteins were influenced by α-pinene. We cloned one gene encoding a thaumatin-like protein, (accession number MK000287), and another gene encoding a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, (accession number MK000288). Additionally, α-pinene appeared to induce expression, but had the opposite effect on expression. An analysis of the expression of the potential molecular mimicry proteins in infecting pine trees revealed that the α-pinene content was consistent with the expression levels of ( ) and ( ) over time. Thus, these genes likely have important roles contributing to the infection of pine species by . The results of this study may be relevant for future investigations of the functions of , and , which may provide a point to explore the relationship between and host pines.