Cyclophilins: Less Studied Proteins with Critical Roles in Pathogenesis

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Plant Pathology

Background:

• Cyclophilins are conserved immunophilins with peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity.
• They bind immunosuppressants and are implicated in cellular processes and stress responses.
• While studied in humans and plants, their role in phytopathogens is emerging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the known information on cyclophilins in phytopathogens.
• To detail their involvement in pathogenicity and plant immunity suppression.
• To highlight their conserved nature and potential as therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on cyclophilins in fungi and oomycetes.
• Analysis of expression data in infected plant tissues.
• Examination of cyclophilin interactions with immunosuppressive drugs.

Main Results:

• High cyclophilin expression correlates with infection in several phytopathogens.
• Cyclophilins function as pathogenicity factors in Magnaporthe oryzae, Botrytis cinerea, and others.
• Cyclophilins exhibit high affinity for cyclosporin A, a potent antifungal agent.

Conclusions:

• Cyclophilins are crucial for pathogenicity in various phytopathogens.
• They play a significant role in suppressing plant immunity.
• Further research into cyclophilins could lead to novel strategies against plant diseases.