Host-plant recognition by parasitic Scrophulariaceae.

Parasitic plants in the Scrophulariaceae invade the roots of neighboring plants in order to rob them of water and nutrients. A distinctive feature of these parasites is their ability to cue their development to small molecules released by host-plant roots. Evidence is continuing to emerge that parasite perception of host factors occurs via a redox-associated mechanism. Genes predicted to function during the early stages of parasite-host interactions have been cloned from both plant partners, and their characterization is providing a genetic framework on which to model subterranean plant-plant interactions.