Bodyguards: Pathogen-Derived Decoys That Protect Virulence Factors
Judith K Paulus1, Jiorgos Kourelis1, Renier A L van der Hoorn1
1The Plant Chemetics Laboratory, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, OX1 3RB Oxford, UK.
Trends in Plant Science
|April 1, 2017
Summary
Plant pathogens use decoy effectors, like PsXLP1 and truncated TALEs, to shield essential virulence factors. These "bodyguard" proteins distract the host, aiding pathogen survival and infection.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Plant pathogens employ effector proteins to manipulate host plants during infection.
- Understanding effector function is crucial for developing disease resistance strategies.
- Decoy strategies represent a novel mechanism in plant-pathogen interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of decoy effector proteins in plant-pathogen interactions.
- To highlight examples of decoy effectors, such as PsXLP1 and truncated TALEs.
- To elucidate the function of seemingly non-functional effector proteins in host distraction.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomics analysis of effector proteins.
- Functional characterization of PsXLP1 from Phytophthora sojae.
- Analysis of truncated TALEs from Xanthomonas oryzae.
Main Results:
- Identification of decoy effectors as a conserved strategy in plant pathogens.
- PsXLP1 functions as a bodyguard for virulence factors in Phytophthora sojae.
- Truncated TALEs from Xanthomonas oryzae exhibit decoy activity.
Conclusions:
- Decoy effectors play a significant role in pathogen virulence by protecting key factors.
- Seemingly non-functional proteins can have critical roles in host-pathogen dynamics.
- This discovery opens new avenues for understanding and combating plant diseases.
More Related Videos
13:47Opsono-Adherence Assay to Evaluate Functional Antibodies in Vaccine Development Against Bacillus anthracis and Other Encapsulated Pathogens
Published on: May 19, 2020
08:07A "Plug-And-Display" Nanoparticle Vaccine Platform Based on Outer Membrane Vesicles Displaying SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Domain
Published on: July 25, 2022
Related Concept Videos
02:26Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
Plants present a rich source of nutrients for many organisms, making it a target for herbivores and infectious agents. Plants, though lacking a proper immune system, have developed an array of constitutive and inducible defenses to fend off these attacks.
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
01:25Colonisation of Pathogens
Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
01:20Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence
Pathogenic bacteria employ a variety of strategies to establish infections, including the secretion of extracellular enzymes that act as potent virulence factors. These enzymes facilitate bacterial colonization of host tissues and help evade immune surveillance. By targeting structural components of host tissues and interfering with immune mechanisms, these enzymes play a pivotal role in disease progression.Extracellular Enzymes Facilitating Tissue Invasion: Several bacterial pathogens secrete...
01:28Regulation of Bacterial Virulence
Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...