Aphid effector pair Mp1-Mp58 forms an effector complex that targets a host trafficking protein

Area of Science:

• Plant-insect interactions
• Molecular biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Pathogen and pest effectors manipulate plant processes during infection.
• Most studies focus on individual effector proteins, neglecting potential interactions.
• Our prior work identified the linked gene pair Mp1 and Mp58 in Myzus persicae.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the functional relationship between Mp1 and Mp58 effectors.
• To determine if Mp1 and Mp58 interact and form complexes.
• To explore the evolutionary conservation and species-specificity of this interaction.

Main Methods:

• In planta and in vitro interaction assays.
• Oligomeric complex formation analysis.
• Ortholog analysis in Rhopalosiphum padi.
• Co-immunoprecipitation assays to identify binding partners like VPS52.

Main Results:

• Mp1 and Mp58 interact in planta and in vitro, forming an oligomeric complex.
• Orthologous Rp1 and Rp58 from Rhopalosiphum padi also interact, but not across species.
• The Mp1-Mp58 complex binds to host Vacuolar Protein Sorting associated Protein 52 (VPS52).
• The Mp1-Mp58-VPS52 complex localizes to vesicle-like structures.

Conclusions:

• Aphid effectors can form functional complexes, adding complexity to plant-insect molecular dialogue.
• Effector pair co-evolution is species-specific, with diversification across aphid species.
• Understanding effector complexes is crucial for studying insect-plant interactions and effector repertoires.