Activation of transcription during the hatching process of the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis

Acridine orange staining was used to compare transcription patterns in hatched and unhatched second stage juveniles (J2s) of Globodera rostochiensis. Unhatched J2s showed little staining when compared with hatched J2s. Hatched J2s showed specific and reproducible staining of the nucleoli of the dorsal oesophageal gland cell and genital primordia. Some staining was also observed in the nucleoli of the subventral gland cells. Exposure of the unhatched J2s to sterile distilled water (SDW) did not result in any noticeable increase in staining with acridine orange. Prolonged periods in tomato root diffusate (TRD) were required to induce changes in dorsal oesophageal gland cell activity of unhatched J2s. Hatched J2s always showed staining of the dorsal oesophageal gland cell and genital primordia, regardless of their length of exposure to TRD. These results demonstrate that changes in transcription patterns of rRNA are induced in a range of structures during the hatching process.