Regulatory role of the Bxy‐gld‐1 in meiosis and oocyte development of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Abstract BACKGROUND Investigating the cell fate of the germline in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus can reveal the biological characteristics of its reproductive processes, which is crucial for formulating more targeted control strategies against pine wilt disease. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms governing cell fate in the germline of B. xylophilus remain unclear. RESULTS In this study, we performed functional validation of the Bxy‐gld‐1 gene in B. xylophilus through bioinformatics analysis, in situ hybridization, and RNA interference (RNAi) combined with DAPI staining techniques. Bioinformatics research indicates that the Bxy‐gld‐1 gene is highly similar to the gld‐1 gene in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans . In situ hybridization results demonstrate that the Bxy‐gld‐1 gene is expressed in the gonadal regions of nematodes at all developmental stages. RNAi results show that silencing the Bxy‐gld‐1 gene delays the transition of germline cells from mitosis to meiosis in B. xylophilus and can cause abnormal oocyte development in female nematodes, leading to the occurrence of small oocytes. Additionally, lifespan assays revealed that the longevity of virgin female and male nematodes in the RNAi‐treated group was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies the Bxy‐gld‐1 gene as a key regulator of germline cell fate in B. xylophilus , advancing our understanding of its reproductive mechanisms and providing a basis for targeted therapeutic development. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.