Gamma-aminobutyric acid as a probable inhibitory neurotransmitter of the nervous system of phytoparasitic nematodes (brief review)
https://doi.org/10.31016/1998-8435-2026-20-1-82-87
Abstract
The purpose of the research is to analyze the literature on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a potential inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system of plant-parasitic nematodes, its detection and localization in neural structures, its main functions, and potential applications for plant protection.
Among several neurotransmitters, GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system of vertebrates and invertebrates, is of great interest to researchers. A literature review revealed that all components of the GABAergic nervous system, which regulates nematode motor activity, are found in the nervous structures of parasitic plant nematodes. This is confirmed by immunocytochemical data, which demonstrates the presence of GABA in the nervous system of plant nematodes, and by pharmacological data on the response of nematode muscles to GABA agonists and antagonists. Of particular interest are the ontogenetic changes in the GABAergic nervous system of sedentary parasitic nematodes associated with their loss of motility. The identification of one of the components of the GABA receptor ion channel structure –the UNC-49B subunit – and its pharmacological properties in zoo-, plant-, and free-living nematodes indicates the conservatism of the GABAergic nervous system across various representatives of the phylum Nematoda, independent of their roundworm lifestyle. One of the promising directions in plant protection may be the induction of GABA in plants, since they are widely represented in higher plants. Increased GABA content in transgenic tobacco lines reduced plant infestation by the northern root-knot nematode.
About the Authors
T. A. Malyutina
Federal State Budget Scientific Institution, A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
Zh. V. Udalova
Federal State Budget Scientific Institution, A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences; All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Fundamental and Applied Parasitology of Animals and Plant – a branch of the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution «Federal Scientific Centre VIEV»
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
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Review
For citations:
Malyutina T.A., Udalova Zh.V. Gamma-aminobutyric acid as a probable inhibitory neurotransmitter of the nervous system of phytoparasitic nematodes (brief review). Russian Journal of Parasitology. 2026;20(1):82-87. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31016/1998-8435-2026-20-1-82-87
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