Integrative lipidomic and proteomic analysis reveals the mechanisms of freezing tolerance in Meloidogyne incognita eggs
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The accelerated northward shift of the overwintering boundary of Meloidogyne incognita suggests that this nematode has acquired enhanced capacity for low-temperature adaptation. Increased freeze tolerance in eggs is considered a key factor contributing to this range expansion. Although global climate change plays a role, low-temperature acclimation during the autumn-winter transition is also thought to influence this process. In this study, integrated analysis using untargeted metabolomics and proteomics revealed that acclimation at 4 °C significantly increased the accumulation of metabolites such as acylcarnitine CAR(20:0), triacylglycerol TG, Bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate BMP(36:2), and phosphatidylinositol PI(13:1_18:2). Conversely, levels of fatty acid FA(19:0, 20:0, and 22:0), diacylglycerol DG(16:0_16:0), and ceramide-1-phosphate CerP(17:0;2O/16:0) decreased. Proteomic analysis further demonstrated downregulation of proteins including glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) and long-chain-fatty-acyl-CoA ligase (FACL), alongside upregulation of phospholipid/glycerol acyltransferase and phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP). Correlation analysis integrating lipidomic and proteomic changes helped establish a more robust metabolic and cellular regulatory network. As the first whole-organism lipid and protein profiling in this species, these findings, despite limited current integration, provide a mechanistic framework for pest cold adaptation and pinpoint specific molecular targets within overwintering metabolic pathways.
Source: BMC Genomics
Institution: Shaanxi Academy of Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W7221505914