Yuchao Chen
Huilan Wu1†- 1Agricultural Biotechnology Center, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan, China
- 2National Resource Center for Chinese Meteria Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
Parasitic plants are a special group deriving their nutrients from another plant, some of which such as witchweeds (Striga spp.) and broomrapes (Orobanche and Phelipanche spp.) are referred as weeds responsible for severe crop losses in agriculture. The parasite attaches to and feeds off its host using a haustorium, which also facilitates the transport of various molecules between the parasite and its host. These translocation molecules have received extensive attention from researchers. In this review, we summarize the existing knowledge on the transfer of molecules such as pathogens, herbicides, RNAs, and proteins between parasitic plants and their hosts, and discuss their potential implications. Additionally, we provide an overview of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between species, which is particularly evident in the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, with some transgenes assumed to have functional roles in their recipient species, offering new insights into the evolution of parasitic plants. Finally, we discuss the significance of parasitic plant research and the development of future research technologies to advance our understanding of plant parasitism.
1 Introduction
Plant parasitism is a complex ecological phenomenon in which parasitic plants absorb various nutrients, such as mineral elements, amino acids, sugars, and intermediate metabolic products, from the host (typically animals or other plants) through their haustorium (Clarke et al., 2019). The haustorium can penetrate the stem or root of the host and establish a connection with the host’s vascular system (Aguilar-Venegas et al., 2023; Yoshida et al., 2016; Ibarra-Laclette et al., 2022). These molecular translocation not only involve the transfer of nutrients but also the transmission of microorganisms such as viruses, viroids, and phytoplasmas. This process forms the core bidirectional regulatory mechanism in the plant parasitism system.
In recent years, with the advancement of molecular biology techniques, significant progress has been made in the study of molecular communication mechanisms between parasitic plants and their hosts. Studies have found that parasitic plants release specific chemicals or signaling molecules to interact with the host cell surface or receptor proteins, thereby regulating the host’s gene expression and physiological activities (Soyemi et al., 2018; Jhu and Sinha, 2022). Nevertheless, there are still many unresolved mysteries regarding the molecular communication mechanisms between parasitic plants and their hosts. For example, how the haustorium specifically recognizes and selects the nutrients it needs to absorb, and the specific role of macromolecule transfer in the parasitism process, remains unclear (Kirschner et al., 2023).
Approximately one percent of angiosperms are parasitic plants thriving by infecting other plants (Nickrent et al., 1998). These parasitic plants have attracted significant research attention due to their adverse impact on crops (Albanova et al., 2023). For instance, many members of parasitic plants, in particular Striga spp. (witchweeds), Orobanche spp. (broomrapes), and Cuscuta (dodder) that parasitize some important food, forage grains, and legumes, are referred as parasitic weeds, which pose a substantial threat to global crop productivity (Parker, 2012). It is estimated that Striga and Orobanche species infest upwards of 60 million hectares of farmland worldwide, resulting in billions of dollars of losses each year (Parker, 2012; Chesterfield et al., 2020). Eliminating threats of parasitic weeds requires knowledge of the machinery underlying the molecular translocation. Understanding these molecular translocation mechanisms not only helps to elucidate the complex relationship between plants and hosts but also provides a theoretical foundation for developing new biocontrol strategies. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the current understanding of molecular translocation between the parasite and the host, which is of great significance for controlling parasitic weeds and revealing the coevolution between the parasite and the host.
2 Haustorium
One of the key characteristics of parasitic plants is the haustorium, which is involved in the interaction between the host and the parasite. A haustorium is the unique organ that invades host tissues and establishes vascular connections. The haustorium is a specialized organ unique to parasitic plants, playing a crucial role in facilitating parasitism. It penetrates the host’s tissues to establish vascular connections, allowing for the direct acquisition of water, inorganic salts, and organic nutrients (Yoshida et al., 2016). Additionally, the haustorium functions as a bidirectional transport system, mediating the movement of biomolecules such as mRNA, proteins, secondary metabolites, and even pathogens between the parasitic plant and its host. These multifaceted functions enable the parasitic plant to establish a successful parasitic relationship with its host, ensuring its survival and growth. The Table 1 shows the diameters of the haustoria for different parasitic types.
Table 1. Different haustoria of parasitic plants.
3 Pathogen translocation in host-parasite
3.1 Viruses (Viroids) translocation
Viruses (Viroids) translocation has been documented between host and parasite (Jhu and Sinha, 2022). For example, Hosford (1967) verified that 56 viruses could be translocated from an infected to a healthy host plant via Cuscuta (dodder) bridges. A more in-depth research shown that potato Y virus could be transferred between two cultivated tobacco plants through an open phloem connection between Cuscuta and its hosts, while only a small amount of virus accumulation was retained in parasite, indicating that the virus did not propagate in parasite during the transfer process (Birschwilks et al., 2006). Therefore, Cuscuta probably works for a passive pipeline for viruses translocation between different host plants. Besides Cuscuta sp., Gal-on et al. (2009) found Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), Potato virus Y (PVY), and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) could translocate from infected host plants to the parasit Phelipanche aegyptiaca, and confirmed CMV could replicate in parasite as well as in host, while ToMV, PVY, TYLCV could not replicate in parasite. In addtion, Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) could translocate from the host tomato to parasite Orobanche ramosa and replicate in parasite (Vachev et al., 2010). Table 2 presents some of the viruses that have been discovered in parasitic plants.
Table 2. Examples of plant viruses, detected in parasitic plants.
It was discovered that the weeds (such as Solanum viarum) in the Nigerian chili fields could simultaneously carry CMV, PVY and ToMV. 83.3% of the weed samples were found to carry at least one of these viruses. Among them, the CMV carrying rate of Ageratum conyzoides was as high as 67%, confirming that it serves as a reservoir of viruses for secondary transmission in the field (Arogundade et al., 2021). Recently, a new host adaptation phenomenon has been discovered. Kumar et al (Kumar et al., 2024). found that the Croton yellow vein mosaic virus (CYVMV), which originally infected weeds (in the Euphorbiaceae family), was first detected in turnips (Brassica rapa). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the virus recombined from the Synedrella virus strain (with 85% sequence homology), proving that the parasitic plants facilitated the virus’s cross-species adaptive evolution.
3.2 Phytoplasma translocation
Phytoplasmas are cell wall-less plant pathogenic bacteria colonizing in the phloem, which can be translocated by phloem-feeding insects or by vegetative propagation. Parasitic plants can acquire phytoplasmas from their hosts and are served as the vectors for propagation of phytoplasmas. A phytoplasma named alder yellows (ALY), a phytoplasmal aetiology infecting Alnus species, was confirmed to have potential to translocate to healthy secondary host Catharanthus roseus (periwinkle) via parasite dodder (Cuscuta odorata) from naturally infected alder trees (Marcone et al., 1997). Similarly, translocation of phytoplasmas American ALY, pear decline, European stone fruit yellows as well as rubus stunt occurred from infected plants to the experimental host periwinkle by dodder (Kamińska and Korbin, 1999). Moreover, the rate of phytoplasmas translocation probably depended on both phytoplasma type and Cuscuta vector type: for example, rubus stunt and cotton phyllody were transmitted at high efficiency, whereas the other phytoplasmas were transmitted at a low rate by Cuscuta europea and Cuscuta campestris, respectively (Marcone et al., 1999).
The phytoplasmas can secrete various effector proteins to manipulate the host plant’s development processes, hormone signaling, immune system, and so on, in order to achieve their parasitism, transmission, and survival (Oshima et al., 2023), several effectors and function are shown in Table 3.
Table 3. The function of secreting effectors of phytoplasmas.
4 Herbicides translocation in host-parasite
Herbicides are used as a chemical control of parasitic weed, and there is no significant inhibition effect since the greater part of the parasitic weed life cycle occurs underground (Aly, 2012; Zagorchev et al., 2021). Thus, to effectively control a parasitic weed, herbicide must be taken up by the host that habored natural or genetically induced resistance to herbicide and translocated through the host to the weed. Aviv et al. (2002) reported that transgenic acetolactate synthase-resistant host carrot (Daucus carota) treated by herbicide imazapyr allowed for translocation of undegraded imazapyr from host to the parasite P. aegyptiaca, leading to the parasite growth suppression. Díaz-Sánchez et al. (2002)demonstrated that translocation of the radioactive herbicide, such as [14C]pronamide, [14C]glyphosate, and [14C]imazapyr from host sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), to parasite Orobanche cumana occurred in Orobanche cumana-sunflower system, and found that the translocation and deposit of herbicide in parasite was affected by herbicide type, herbicide treatment method, and host growth stage being treated.
Besides, another herbicide chlorsulfuron could kill the parasite Orobanche ramosa at tubercular phase by translocating from host, a transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) harboring ahas3R gene expressed high resistance to chlorsulfuron (Slavov et al., 2005). Furthermore, Shilo et al. (2016) revealed that the mechanism of action of the herbicide glyphosate translocated from host tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) into parasite P. aegyptiaca, and found that despite its total reliance on its host plant, P. aegyptiaca suffered from a deficiency of aromatic amino acids caused by the herbicide, which was the same as in host. Given the inhibitory effect of herbicides on the growth of parasitic plants, the way of herbicides translocation between host and parasitic plants provide a new perspective for the control of parasitic weeds.
5 DNA translocation in host-parasite
DNA translocation in host-parasite involving three DNA-containing cellular compartments, such as mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA), nuDNA (nuclear genome) and cpDNA (chloroplast DNA), is referred as one of route for HGT (horizontal gene transfer—the exchange of genetic materials between distantly related, non-mating organisms), which is inferred from multigene phylogenetic analysis (Davis and Wurdack, 2004; Yang et al., 2019).
In comparison with both nuDNA and cpDNA, mtDNA allow for higher frequency of translocation due to their ability of being uptaken actively (Koulintchenko et al., 2003; Davis and Xi, 2015) Rafflesiaceae (Rafflesia arnoldii), an endophytic holoparasite classified in Malpighiales, produces the largest flowers in the world, however, it is incapable of photosynthesis and thus depend exclusively on its host, Tetrastigma (Vitaceae), for nutrition. The multigene phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial (matR) and nuclear loci (18S ribosomal DNA and PHYC) showed that Malpighiales was assigned to Rafflesiaceae, however, based on the mitochondrial nad1B-C, they were grouped within Vitaceae, near their obligate host, Tetrastigma. These discordant phylogenetic hypotheses strongly suggested that mtDNA translocation occurred in Rafflesiaceae from their hosts (Davis and Wurdack, 2004). Moreover, research revealed that up to 40% of the mtDNA in the parasitic plant species Rafflesiaceae was acquired from its hosts via the mtDNA translocation (Xi et al., 2013). More recently, mtDNA translocation in another parasitic plants Lophophytum mirabile parasitizing Santalales were also authenticated (Sanchez-Puerta et al., 2017).
In addition to mtDNA, cpDNA translocation has also been demonstrated between the holoparasitic plant Cistanche deserticola and its host Haloxylon ammodendron. The cpDNA of C. deserticola exhibits significant reduction, having lost most genes associated with photosynthesis. However it appears to have regained some functionality by acquiring two copies of the gene rpoC2 (DNA-dependent RNA polymerase) from H. ammodendron (Li et al., 2013).
Although an increasing number of studies on mtDNA or cpDNA translocation in host-parasite interactions are emerging, the translocation of nuDNA remains largely unexplored. Striga hermonthica, belonging to the eudicot Orobanchaceae family in the order Lamiales, specifically parasitizes monocot plants such as sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and rice (Oryza sativa). One gene, designated as ShContig9483 in S. hermonthica, was found to share high similarity with genes in sorghum and rice, but it lacks homologs present in eudicots. This was determined by identifying monocot-specific genes in the S. hermonthica genome through large-scale expressed sequence tag analysis. These findings suggest that ShContig9483 likely originated from monocots such as sorghum, rice, or other related species, and was subsequently translocated into S. hermonthica (Davis and Xi, 2015). A representative case of nuDNA translocation is the acquisition of the strictosidine synthase-like (SSL) gene by parasites from Brassicaceae (Zhang et al., 2014). Both the root parasite Orobanche aegyptiaca and the stem parasite Cuscuta australis harbour SSL copies that exhibiting markedly higher sequence identity with Brassicaceae homologs than with any sequences from their own eudicot relatives.
Interestingly, these translocated DNA in parasite probably execute certain functions (Table 4). For example, Zhang et al. (2014) reported the expression levels of the translocated SSL genes in O. aegyptiaca and C. australis varied in different developmental stages and organs, moreover, the SSL gene in C. australis was inducible after wounding. Yang et al. (2016) suggested that the functions of translocated DNA in parasites were likely related to the development of haustorium, defense against infections, insect toxins, or transcription-related enzymes. Additionally, Yosida et al. (2019) inferred that compared to autotrophic angiosperms, DNA translocation occurs more frequently from host to parasite, indicating that this process may have played a significant role in the parasite’s evolution and adaptation.
Table 4. Summary of horizontal gene transfer involving parasitic plants.
6 RNAs translocation in host-parasite
6.1 siRNA translocation
siRNA (small interfering RNA), ranging from 21 to 24 nucleotides in length, can spread through the phloem in plants and mediate gene silencing extensively within the plant system (Denli and Hannon, 2003). Studies have shown that siRNA not only propagates systemically within the plant but can also transfer between host and parasitic plants via phloem connections. Recent research indicates that siRNA has great potential in regulating the gene expression of parasitic plants and controlling the growth of parasitic weeds, particularly in the context of gene silencing mechanisms between host and parasitic plants. The specific details are shown in the Table 5 below.
Table 5. siRNA-mediated gene silencing in parasitic plants.
6.2 mRNA translocation
mRNA (messenger RNA) translocation is a common process between host and parasitic plants, occurring through parenchyma cells and phloem across haustorium junction (Westwood et al., 2010). This process involves bidirectional molecular communication, signal regulation and adaptive mechanisms (Park et al., 2021). The efficiency of mRNA transfer is dynamically regulated by several factors, including the host’s physiological status, the duration of haustorial connection, and the affinity between the host and the parasitic plant.
First, the host’s physiological condition plays a key role in determining the transport efficiency. A healthy host, with active metabolic signaling and a stable supply of resources, supports higher mRNA transfer rates. When the host is infected by pathogens, defense mechanisms such as the activation of the salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway can inhibit the formation and function of the parasitic haustoria (Majumdar et al., 2023). Similarly, environmental stresses like water scarcity or nutrient deficiency also decrease the efficiency of haustorial connection, limiting mRNA transfer (Zhang et al., 2024). For example, in the root parasitism model between Haloxylon ammodendron (Chenopodiaceae) and Cistanche deserticola (Orobanchaceae), hydroponic experiments on the host revealed that a well-watered host supports a higher mRNA transfer (Fan et al., 2022).
The duration of haustorial connection also affects transfer efficiency. Longer connections allow for cumulative transfer and stabilization of molecular channels, ultimately improving transport rates. In the parasitic system between Phtheirospermum japonicum and Arabidopsis, the formation of vascular bridges by the haustorium takes several days. Initially, the connection is unstable, leading to low mRNA transfer rates (Wakatake et al., 2020). However, as the connection strengthens, particularly with the formation of xylem bridges, the transfer of mRNA gradually increases (Cui et al., 2025).
Another critical factor is the molecular affinity between the host and the parasitic plant. Higher molecular compatibility enhances the success rate of transfer by reducing conflicts and improving efficiency. When the parasitic plant is closely related to the host species—such as within the same family—molecular recognition mechanisms, like effector proteins, promote efficient RNA exchange. For example, the haustorium of Triphysaria versicolor (a hemiparasite) can silence host genes, and the efficiency of this process is largely dependent on the genomic similarity between the two species. If the genetic divergence is too large, cross-silencing fails (Yoshida et al., 2016).
Studies have shown that mRNA from hosts plants, such as tomato and Arabidopsis, can travel long distances from the haustorium and translocate into the parasitic plant Cuscuta pentagona (David-Schwartz et al., 2008; LeBlanc et al., 2013). Moreover, the mRNA translocation was documented in high numbers and in a bidirectional manner, both from host to parasite and parasite. Kim et al. (2014) reported that 45% (9518) of the total genes expressed in the host Arabidopsis transcriptome were detected in the parasite Cuscuta, while 24% (5973) of the genes expressed in Cuscuta showed strong evidence of translocation into Arabidopsis. In contrast, only 1.6% (347) of genes expressed in host tomato were detected in the parasite Cuscuta, and 0.8% (288 genes) of the genes expressed in Cuscuta showed strong evidence of translocation into tomato, both of which are fewer than those observed in Arabidopsis. These differences in mRNA translocation rates between Arabidopsis-Cuscuta and tomato-Cuscuta suggest that the translocation selectivity mechanisms might be host-specific.
6.3 miRNA translocation
In addition to siRNA and mRNA, microRNA (miRNA) is also highly mobile between host and parasite (Johnson and Axtell, 2019). Recent studies have shown that the haustorium of Cuscuta campestris can accumulate high levels of novel miRNAs while parasitizing Arabidopsis thaliana. Some of these miRNAs targeted A. thaliana mRNA, leading to mRNA cleavage, the production of secondary siRNAs, and a reduction in host mRNA accumulation. Additionally, the same miRNA was expressed and activated when C. campestris infected host Nicotiana benthamiana. These data shown that miRNA translocated from parasite act as trans-species regulators of host-gene expression, implying that they may function as virulence factors to facilitate the establishment of parasitism (Shahid et al., 2018).
7 Protein translocation in host-parasite
Several lines of evidence suggest that proteins can be translocated between host and parasite (Zhang et al., 2025). For example, Haupt et al. (2001) found that green fluorescent protein (GFP) could be translocated from the transgenic tobacco plants to the parasite Cuscuta reflexa. Subsequently, Birschwilks et al. (2007) demonstrated that Cuscuta, parasiting two type transgenic Arabidopsis, one encoding GFP (27 kDa) and the other encoding a GFP–ubiquitin fusion (36 kDa), could acquire GFP but not GFP–ubiquitin fusion. This finding implies that the size of translocated proteins between host and parasite may be specific. Furthermore, Jiang et al. (2013) found that phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) could translocate from the host soybean to the parasite Cuscuta pentagona, resulting in the herbicide resistance of C. pentagona. Interestingly, Shen et al. (2020) demonstrated that FT (Flowering Locus T) proteins synthesized in host plants (soybean or tobacco) could move into dodder stems, where they physically interact with a dodder FD transcription factor to activate dodder flowering.
Recently, Liu et al. (2020) found that hundreds to more than 1500 proteins were translocated between the parasite Cuscuta and the host Arabidopsis or soybean. Notably, hundreds of inter-plant mobile proteins were detected in the seeds of both Cuscuta and the host soybean. These proteins also retained their activity after long-distance translocation between plants. The types of proteins that have undergone migration are as shown in the Table 6.
Table 6. The protein types involved in the migration between the host and the parasitic plant.
8 Phytohormone translocation in host-parasite
Phytohormone, which plays key roles in numerous physiological and developmental process in plant, can translocate between host and parasite. The transfer of plant hormones between parasitic plants and their hosts is not limited to a single hormone, but rather involves a complex network of multiple hormones working together for coordinated regulation. Plants regulate hormone response pathways at multiple levels, including biosynthesis, metabolism, perception, and signaling (Anfang and Shani, 2021). Table 7 shows different phytohormone types between host and the parasitic plant.
Table 7. The phytohormone types involved in the migration between the host and the parasitic plant.
9 Other molecules translocation in host-parasite
Using the parasite Cuscuta as a bridge connecting different host plants within a “microcommunity”, Hettenhausen et al. (2017) found that when one host plants was treated with insect feeding, the systemic insect resistance signal generated by the feeding leaves was transferred to other host plants in the “microcommunity” through cuscuta. This transfer induced transcriptome and metabolite responses of other host plants, thereby enhancing their insect resistance.
Cuscuta can transmit insect feeding-induced signals between connected plants. When plants are subjected to insect herbivory, they activate both local and systemic defense responses, such as the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway, and produce defense metabolites, including proteinase inhibitors (TPIs). These signals are rapidly transmitted and can spread over long distances (Hettenhausen et al., 2017). Zhou et al. (2023)investigated the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in white clover under Cuscuta parasitism and the defense pathways they are involved in. The study found that Cuscuta parasitism triggers a complex molecular defense response in white clover, including immune system reprogramming (R genes, PR proteins) and the activation of hormone signaling pathways (JA, SA, ABA), among others.
Using transgenic tomato and tobacco plants expressing calcium indicator proteins, Albert et al. (2010) detected calcium ion influx at the site of haustorial penetration early during Cuscuta contact with the host. They concluded that calcium signaling is one of the early plant responses in recognizing the parasitic invader. After detaching from its host, Cuscuta spp. coordinates the balance between basal degradation and apical growth through the regulation of calcium signaling and cell structural proteins (Zhang et al., 2021)
10 Conclusions
The interaction between parasitic plants and their host plants holds significant ecological and evolutionary importance. First, parasitic plants acquire water, nutrients, and organic molecules from their hosts through specialized structures such as haustoria, regulating material cycles and driving the co-evolution of symbiosis and competition between plants. Second, the genetic integration and co-evolution between parasites and hosts reflect the long-term adaptation processes between species, contributing significantly to the competition and adaptive evolution within ecosystems (Estioko et al., 2014; Fei et al., 2021). Parasitic plants exhibit marked path dependence on their hosts, and through specific signaling mechanisms, they promote the co-evolution of symbiosis and competition among plants (Oñate and Munné-Bosch, 2009). In-depth research into the mechanisms of parasitic plant-host interactions will enhance our understanding of plant adaptive evolution and provide theoretical support for agricultural control strategies, crop protection, and plant breeding.
Unraveling the routes and functional significance of translocated molecules remains a central challenge in plant-parasite research. The translocated routes of small molecules, such as nutrients and herbicides, are phloem or xylem potentially, but the pathways governing macromolecular trafficking (DNA, RNA, proteins) are only partially resolved. DNA translocation in host-parasite is considered a historical event, typically occurring over extended evolutionary periods between the parasite and its host, which is different from DNA translocation in plant grafting system. Current research suggests that the scale of DNA translocation is limited and may occur in isolation. However, whether DNA translocation in host-parasite interactions is a random or selective event remains unclear and warrants further investigation. Additionally, the functional significance of this DNA translocation requires further exploration.
In contrast to the DNA translocation, RNA translocation in host-parasite interactions occurs on a much larger scale. The translocated RNA mainly refers to mRNA, which carries sequence-specific information, as others may be translated into proteins that precisely regulate gene expression, or they may degradation through cellular autonomous or involuntary processes. Consequently, a key concern is a understanding the ultimate fate of the translocated mRNA once it reaches its destination. Three hypotheses have been proposed regarding the fate of translocated mRNA (Figure 1): (i) One hypothesis suggests that translocated mRNA provides nutrients to the parasite by facilitating specific degradation of metastatic mRNA from host plants, utilizing mechanisms that accurately distinguish exogenous mRNA from parasite’s own mRNA. (ii) One posits that the most important role of translocated mRNA is to be active after translation into protein, thereby influencing the metabolic pathways of parasitic plants or participating in the regulation of gene expression. (iii) The other hypothesis suggests that the abundance of mRNA appears to be the factor. The higher the mRNA abundance, the more likely it is to undergo passive transfer. Additionally, the haustorium serve as the key pathway for mRNA exchange (Westwood and Kim, 2017; Fan et al., 2022).
Figure 1. The fate of translocated mRNA.
Future research will integrate physiological, molecular biology, and omics technologies to systematically explore the mechanisms of material exchange, gene regulation, and signal transduction between parasitic plants and their host plants. Physiological methods, such as ion and water exchange measurements and metabolite analysis, will reveal how parasitic plants utilize host resources, while molecular biology techniques, such as RNA sequencing and gene editing (CRISPR-Cas9), will help deepen our understanding of the role of key genes and their involvement in the parasitic process. Omics technologies, including genomics, metabolomics, and proteomics, will provide a comprehensive perspective on the interactions between parasitic plants and their hosts, particularly in the areas of metabolic regulation and signaling pathways. Furthermore, research on mutants and transgenic plants will offer new insights into the genetic basis of parasitism. The integrated application of these advanced technologies will provide a novel theoretical framework for uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying parasitic plant-host interactions, offering significant practical value for agricultural and ecological management.
Author contributions
YC: Conceptualization, Formal Analysis, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. HW: Conceptualization, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. JC: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. SG: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. XG: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. XL: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. JY: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Project administration, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.
Funding
The author(s) declared financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. This work was supported by the Ability Establishment of Sustainable Use for Valuable Chinese Medicine Resources (2060302) and the Ningxia Natural Science Foundation (2024AAC02055).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Keywords: parasitic plants, horizontal gene transfer, molecular translocation, haustorium, Cuscuta
Citation: Chen Y, Wu H, Cai J, Guo S, Gan X, Liu X and Yang J (2025) Molecular translocation between parasitic plants and their hosts. Front. Plant Sci. 16:1716304. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1716304
Received: 30 September 2025; Accepted: 24 November 2025; Revised: 19 November 2025;
Published: 08 December 2025.
Edited by:
Raffaella Maria Balestrini, National Research Council (CNR), ItalyReviewed by:
Domancar Orona-Tamayo, Centro de Innovación Aplicada en Tecnologías Competitivas (CIATEC), MexicoJingxiong Zhang, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China
Copyright © 2025 Chen, Wu, Cai, Guo, Gan, Liu and Yang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Yuchao Chen, Y2hlbnl1Y2hhbzgyMDMyMUAxNjMuY29t; Jianguo Yang, eWpnbnhAMTYzLmNvbQ==
†These authors have contributed equally to this work