Filamentous pathogen effectors interfering with small RNA silencing in plant hosts. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ye, Wenwu; Ma, Wenbo
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in microbiology. Volume 32(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2016.04.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5274

Abstract

Highlights: The destructive plant pathogens in the genus Phytophthora produce effectors that promote infection by interfering with host RNA silencing. PSR1 targets a DEAH box-RNA helicase in plants to suppress small RNA biogenesis. PSR2 represents a prevalent effector family in Phytophthora and specifically affects the accumulation of secondary small interference RNAs. Secondary small interference RNAs may play an important role in plant defense against filamentous pathogen infection. RNA silencing suppression is a common virulence strategy employed by viral, bacterial and filamentous eukaryotic pathogens. Abstract : Filamentous eukaryotic pathogens including fungi and oomycetes are major threats of plant health. During the co-evolutionary arms race with the hosts, these pathogens have evolved a large repertoire of secreted virulence proteins, called effectors, to facilitate colonization and infection. Many effectors are believed to directly manipulate targeted processes inside the host cells; and a fundamental function of the effectors is to dampen immunity. Recent evidence suggests that the destructive oomycete pathogens in the genus Phytophthora encode RNA silencing suppressors. These effectors play an important virulence role during infection, likely through their inhibitory effect on host small RNA-mediated defense.