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Winning by Losing: Exploiting Modified Plant Susceptibility Genes to Counteract Necrotrophic Fungal Pathogens.
Yaohua You1,2, Miguel Ramírez Gaona1, Yuling Bai1
1Plant Breeding, Wageningen University & Research Wageningen, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Plant Biotechnology Journal
|August 25, 2025
Summary
Plant susceptibility (S) genes aid pathogen infection. Understanding these genes in necrotrophic fungal interactions offers new strategies for breeding disease-resistant crops.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Molecular genetics
- Crop science
Background:
- Plant-pathogen interactions involve host and pathogen genes.
- Susceptibility (S) genes are plant genes exploited by pathogens.
- Mutations in S genes reduce pathogen susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on plant S genes facilitating necrotrophic fungal infection.
- To categorize S genes based on cellular compartments and physiological processes.
- To discuss exploiting impaired S genes for crop disease resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of S genes in plant-necrotrophic fungal interactions.
- Categorization of S genes by cellular location and function.
- Analysis of challenges and opportunities for crop breeding.
Main Results:
- Information on S genes facilitating necrotrophic fungal infection is rapidly increasing.
- S genes are categorized by cellular compartments and physiological processes.
- Examples illustrate the role of S genes in plant disease.
Conclusions:
- Distinct S genes and physiological processes are involved in necrotrophic fungal infections compared to biotrophic ones.
- Exploiting impaired S genes presents opportunities for developing disease-resistant crops.
- Further research is needed to fully leverage S genes for agricultural applications.
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