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Screening and Identification of RNA Silencing Suppressors from Secreted Effectors of Plant Pathogens
Published on: February 3, 2020
Oomycete pathogens encode RNA silencing suppressors.
Yongli Qiao1, Lin Liu, Qin Xiong
1Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA.
Nature Genetics
|February 5, 2013
Summary
Plant pathogens use effectors to suppress RNA silencing, a key defense mechanism. This study reveals how Phytophthora sojae effectors inhibit small RNA biogenesis, increasing plant susceptibility to infection.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Molecular biology
- Oomycete research
Background:
- Pathogen effectors are crucial virulence factors that manipulate host processes.
- RNA silencing is a vital plant defense mechanism against pathogens.
- The function of many pathogen effectors, particularly from eukaryotic pathogens, remains unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of two effectors from the oomycete Phytophthora sojae.
- To determine if these effectors target the RNA silencing pathway in plants.
- To understand the role of RNA silencing suppression in oomycete pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Ectopic expression of Phytophthora sojae effectors in plants.
- Assessing the impact of effector expression on small RNA biogenesis.
- Evaluating changes in plant susceptibility to viral and oomycete pathogens upon effector expression.
Main Results:
- Two Phytophthora sojae effectors were identified as suppressors of RNA silencing.
- These effectors inhibit the biogenesis of small RNAs in plants.
- Ectopic expression of these effectors increased plant susceptibility to a virus and Phytophthora.
Conclusions:
- RNA silencing suppression is an evolved virulence strategy employed by eukaryotic pathogens.
- Pathogen effectors targeting RNA silencing contribute to disease development.
- This highlights the critical role of RNA silencing in plant immunity against diverse pathogens.
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