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Nie X, Wang Z, Huang B, Gu Q, Xu R, Yu S, Xiong C, Liu Z, Wei W, Bi K, Zhu W. The cell death-inducing protein BcPlp1 from Botrytis cinerea contributes to pathogenicity and modulates plant resistance. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2025; 356:112492. [PMID: 40185245 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2025.112492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2025] [Revised: 03/08/2025] [Accepted: 03/31/2025] [Indexed: 04/07/2025]
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic plant pathogen fungus with a broad host range, causing grey mould and rot diseases in many important crops, leading to significant economic losses in agriculture. Cell death-inducing proteins (CDIPs) secreted by necrotrophic phytopathogens promote plant tissue death and play important roles in infection. However, the mechanisms by which CDIPs induce cell death in B. cinerea-plants interactions remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the B. cinerea CDIP BcPlp1 is secreted into the plant apoplast where it induces cell death. BcPlp1 is a cysteine-rich protein, and four out of the 8 cysteine residues and a conserved N-terminal α-helix structure are essential for its cell death-inducing activity. A purified GST-tagged BcPlp1 fusion protein triggered cell death in multiple plant species, up-regulated expression of defense-related genes and enhanced plant resistance to B. cinerea. Additionally, the cell death-inducing activity of BcPlp1 was mediated by leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor-like kinases BAK1 and SOBIR1. Furthermore, BcPlp1 was not necessary for colony morphology, conidial production, growth rate, and stress tolerance. Although deletion of BcPlp1 did not affect virulence, its overexpression led to larger disease lesion, highlighting its contribution to B. cinerea pathogenicity when upregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Nie
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei 430023, China
| | - Ziyao Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei 430023, China
| | - Binbin Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei 430023, China
| | - Qiongnan Gu
- Institute of Plant Protection and Soil Fertilizer, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430064, China
| | - Ran Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei 430023, China
| | - Shuang Yu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei 430023, China
| | - Chao Xiong
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei 430023, China
| | - Zhiguo Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei 430023, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Biology Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-1415, USA
| | - Kai Bi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei 430023, China.
| | - Wenjun Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei 430023, China.
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2
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Gomari MM, Arab SS, Balalaie S, Ramezanpour S, Hosseini A, Dokholyan NV, Tarighi P. Rational peptide design for targeting cancer cell invasion. Proteins 2024; 92:76-95. [PMID: 37646459 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Cell invasion is an important process in cancer progression and recurrence. Invasion and implantation of cancer cells from their original place to other tissues, by disabling vital organs, challenges the treatment of cancer patients. Given the importance of the matter, many molecular treatments have been developed to inhibit cancer cell invasion. Because of their low production cost and ease of production, peptides are valuable therapeutic molecules for inhibiting cancer cell invasion. In recent years, advances in the field of computational biology have facilitated the design of anti-cancer peptides. In our investigation, using computational biology approaches such as evolutionary analysis, residue scanning, protein-peptide interaction analysis, molecular dynamics, and free energy analysis, our team designed a peptide library with about 100 000 candidates based on A6 (acetyl-KPSSPPEE-amino) sequence which is an anti-invasion peptide. During computational studies, two of the designed peptides that give the highest scores and showed the greatest sequence similarity to A6 were entered into the experimental analysis workflow for further analysis. In experimental analysis steps, the anti-metastatic potency and other therapeutic effects of designed peptides were evaluated using MTT assay, RT-qPCR, zymography analysis, and invasion assay. Our study disclosed that the IK1 (acetyl-RPSFPPEE-amino) peptide, like A6, has great potency to inhibit the invasion of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mahmoudi Gomari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Shahriar Arab
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Balalaie
- Peptide Chemistry Research Institute, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sorour Ramezanpour
- Department of Chemistry, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arshad Hosseini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nikolay V Dokholyan
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Parastoo Tarighi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Derbyshire MC, Raffaele S. Surface frustration re-patterning underlies the structural landscape and evolvability of fungal orphan candidate effectors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5244. [PMID: 37640704 PMCID: PMC10462633 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40949-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens secrete effector proteins to subvert host physiology and cause disease. Effectors are engaged in a molecular arms race with the host resulting in conflicting evolutionary constraints to manipulate host cells without triggering immune responses. The molecular mechanisms allowing effectors to be at the same time robust and evolvable remain largely enigmatic. Here, we show that 62 conserved structure-related families encompass the majority of fungal orphan effector candidates in the Pezizomycotina subphylum. These effectors diversified through changes in patterns of thermodynamic frustration at surface residues. The underlying mutations tended to increase the robustness of the overall effector protein structure while switching potential binding interfaces. This mechanism could explain how conserved effector families maintained biological activity over long evolutionary timespans in different host environments and provides a model for the emergence of sequence-unrelated effector families with conserved structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Derbyshire
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Sylvain Raffaele
- Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes Micro-organismes Environnement (LIPME), INRAE, CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France.
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4
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Newman TE, Kim H, Khentry Y, Sohn KH, Derbyshire MC, Kamphuis LG. The broad host range pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum produces multiple effector proteins that induce host cell death intracellularly. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:866-881. [PMID: 37038612 PMCID: PMC10346375 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a broad host range necrotrophic fungal pathogen, which causes disease on many economically important crop species. S. sclerotiorum has been shown to secrete small effector proteins to kill host cells and acquire nutrients. We set out to discover novel necrosis-inducing effectors and characterize their activity using transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Five intracellular necrosis-inducing effectors were identified with differing host subcellular localization patterns, which were named intracellular necrosis-inducing effector 1-5 (SsINE1-5). We show for the first time a broad host range pathogen effector, SsINE1, that uses an RxLR-like motif to enter host cells. Furthermore, we provide preliminary evidence that SsINE5 induces necrosis via an NLR protein. All five of the identified effectors are highly conserved in globally sourced S. sclerotiorum isolates. Taken together, these results advance our understanding of the virulence mechanisms employed by S. sclerotiorum and reveal potential avenues for enhancing genetic resistance to this damaging fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby E. Newman
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Haseong Kim
- Plant Immunity Research CenterSeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Republic of Korea
| | - Yuphin Khentry
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Kee Hoon Sohn
- Plant Immunity Research CenterSeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Republic of Korea
| | - Mark C. Derbyshire
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Lars G. Kamphuis
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
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5
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Zhu W, Dong H, Xu R, You J, Yan DZ, Xiong C, Wu J, Bi K. Botrytis cinerea BcCDI1 protein triggers both plant cell death and immune response. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1136463. [PMID: 37180384 PMCID: PMC10167277 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1136463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Cell death-inducing proteins (CDIPs) play important roles in the infection of Botrytis cinerea, a broad host-range necrotrophic phytopathogen. Here, we show that the secreted protein BcCDI1 (Cell Death Inducing 1) can cause necrosis in tobacco leaves and at the same time elicit plant defense. The transcription of Bccdi1 was induced at the infection stage. Deletion or overexpression of Bccdi1 resulted in no notable change in disease lesion on bean, tobacco, and Arabidopsis leaves, indicating that Bccdi1 has no effect on the final outcome of B. cinerea infection. Furthermore, the plant receptor-like kinases BAK1 and SOBIR1 are required to transduce the cell death-promoting signal induced by BcCDI1. These findings suggest that BcCDI1 is possibly recognized by plant receptors and then induces plant cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huange Dong
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ran Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingmao You
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Cultivation of Chinese Herbal Medicines, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Enshi, China
- Institute of Chinese Herbal Medicines, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Enshi, China
| | - Da-zhong Yan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao Xiong
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Bi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
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Müller M, Kües U, Budde KB, Gailing O. Applying molecular and genetic methods to trees and their fungal communities. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:2783-2830. [PMID: 36988668 PMCID: PMC10106355 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12480-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Forests provide invaluable economic, ecological, and social services. At the same time, they are exposed to several threats, such as fragmentation, changing climatic conditions, or increasingly destructive pests and pathogens. Trees, the inherent species of forests, cannot be viewed as isolated organisms. Manifold (micro)organisms are associated with trees playing a pivotal role in forest ecosystems. Of these organisms, fungi may have the greatest impact on the life of trees. A multitude of molecular and genetic methods are now available to investigate tree species and their associated organisms. Due to their smaller genome sizes compared to tree species, whole genomes of different fungi are routinely compared. Such studies have only recently started in forest tree species. Here, we summarize the application of molecular and genetic methods in forest conservation genetics, tree breeding, and association genetics as well as for the investigation of fungal communities and their interrelated ecological functions. These techniques provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of adaptive traits, the impacts of forest management, and changing environmental conditions on tree species and fungal communities and can enhance tree-breeding cycles due to reduced time for field testing. It becomes clear that there are multifaceted interactions among microbial species as well as between these organisms and trees. We demonstrate the versatility of the different approaches based on case studies on trees and fungi. KEY POINTS: • Current knowledge of genetic methods applied to forest trees and associated fungi. • Genomic methods are essential in conservation, breeding, management, and research. • Important role of phytobiomes for trees and their ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Müller
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Goettingen, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Ursula Kües
- Molecular Wood Biotechnology and Technical Mycology, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina B Budde
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Gailing
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Goettingen, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
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7
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Bi K, Liang Y, Mengiste T, Sharon A. Killing softly: a roadmap of Botrytis cinerea pathogenicity. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:211-222. [PMID: 36184487 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea, a widespread plant pathogen with a necrotrophic lifestyle, causes gray mold disease in many crops. Massive secretion of enzymes and toxins was long considered to be the main driver of infection, but recent studies have uncovered a rich toolbox for B. cinerea pathogenicity. The emerging picture is of a multilayered infection process governed by the exchange of factors that collectively contribute to disease development. No plant shows complete resistance against B. cinerea, but pattern-triggered plant immune responses have the potential to significantly reduce disease progression, opening new possibilities for producing B. cinerea-tolerant plants. We examine current B. cinerea infection models, highlight knowledge gaps, and suggest directions for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Bi
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yong Liang
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Tesfaye Mengiste
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Amir Sharon
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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Tarallo M, McDougal RL, Chen Z, Wang Y, Bradshaw RE, Mesarich CH. Characterization of two conserved cell death elicitor families from the Dothideomycete fungal pathogens Dothistroma septosporum and Fulvia fulva (syn. Cladosporium fulvum). Front Microbiol 2022; 13:964851. [PMID: 36160260 PMCID: PMC9493481 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.964851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Dothistroma septosporum (Ds) and Fulvia fulva (Ff; previously called Cladosporium fulvum) are two closely related Dothideomycete fungal species that cause Dothistroma needle blight in pine and leaf mold in tomato, respectively. During host colonization, these pathogens secrete virulence factors termed effectors to promote infection. In the presence of corresponding host immune receptors, however, these effectors activate plant defenses, including a localized cell death response that halts pathogen growth. We identified two apoplastic effector protein families, Ecp20 and Ecp32, which are conserved between the two pathogens. The Ecp20 family has four paralogues in both species, while the Ecp32 family has four paralogues in D. septosporum and five in F. fulva. Both families have members that are highly expressed during host infection. Members of the Ecp20 family have predicted structural similarity to proteins with a β-barrel fold, including the Alt a 1 allergen from Alternaria alternata, while members of the Ecp32 family have predicted structural similarity to proteins with a β-trefoil fold, such as trypsin inhibitors and lectins. Using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transient transformation assays, each family member was assessed for its ability to trigger cell death in leaves of the non-host species Nicotiana benthamiana and N. tabacum. Using this approach, FfEcp20-2, DsEcp20-3, and FfEcp20-3 from the Ecp20 family, and all members from the Ecp32 family, except for the Ds/FfEcp32-4 pair, triggered cell death in both species. This cell death was dependent on secretion of the effectors to the apoplast. In line with recognition by an extracellular immune receptor, cell death triggered by Ds/FfEcp20-3 and FfEcp32-3 was compromised in N. benthamiana silenced for BAK1 or SOBIR1, which encode extracellular co-receptors involved in transducing defense response signals following apoplastic effector recognition. We then investigated whether DsEcp20-3 and DsEcp20-4 triggered cell death in the host species Pinus radiata by directly infiltrating purified protein into pine needles. Strikingly, as in the non-host species, DsEcp20-3 triggered cell death, while DsEcp20-4 did not. Collectively, our study describes two new candidate effector families with cell death-eliciting activity from D. septosporum and F. fulva and provides evidence that members of these families are recognized by plant immune receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Pathology/Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Zhiyuan Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rosie E. Bradshaw
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Pathology/Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Carl H. Mesarich
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Pathology/Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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9
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Plant chitinases and their role in plant defense – a comprehensive review. Enzyme Microb Technol 2022; 159:110055. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2022.110055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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10
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Leisen T, Werner J, Pattar P, Safari N, Ymeri E, Sommer F, Schroda M, Suárez I, Collado IG, Scheuring D, Hahn M. Multiple knockout mutants reveal a high redundancy of phytotoxic compounds contributing to necrotrophic pathogenesis of Botrytis cinerea. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010367. [PMID: 35239739 PMCID: PMC8923502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is a major plant pathogen infecting more than 1400 plant species. During invasion, the fungus rapidly kills host cells, which is believed to be supported by induction of programmed plant cell death. To comprehensively evaluate the contributions of most of the currently known plant cell death inducing proteins (CDIPs) and metabolites for necrotrophic infection, an optimized CRISPR/Cas9 protocol was established which allowed to perform serial marker-free mutagenesis to generate multiple deletion mutants lacking up to 12 CDIPs. Whole genome sequencing of a 6x and 12x deletion mutant revealed a low number of off-target mutations which were unrelated to Cas9-mediated cleavage. Secretome analyses confirmed the loss of secreted proteins encoded by the deleted genes. Infection tests with the mutants revealed a successive decrease in virulence with increasing numbers of mutated genes, and varying effects of the knockouts on different host plants. Comparative analysis of mutants confirmed significant roles of two polygalacturonases (PG1, PG2) and the phytotoxic metabolites botrydial and botcinins for infection, but revealed no or only weak effects of deletion of the other CDIPs. Nicotiana benthamiana plants with mutated or silenced coreceptors of pattern recognition receptors, SOBIR1 and BAK1, showed similar susceptibility as control plants to infection by B. cinerea wild type and a 12x deletion mutant. These results raise doubts about a major role of manipulation of these plant defence regulators for B. cinerea infection. Despite the loss of most of the known phytotoxic compounds, the on planta secretomes of the multiple mutants retained substantial phytotoxic activity, proving that further, as yet unknown CDIPs contribute to necrosis and virulence. Our study has addressed for the first time systematically the functional redundancy of fungal virulence factors, and demonstrates that B. cinerea releases a highly redundant cocktail of proteins to achieve necrotrophic infection of a wide variety of host plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Leisen
- Department of Biology, Phytopathology group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Janina Werner
- Department of Biology, Phytopathology group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Patrick Pattar
- Department of Biology, Phytopathology group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Nassim Safari
- Department of Biology, Phytopathology group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Edita Ymeri
- Department of Biology, Phytopathology group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Frederik Sommer
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems Biology group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Michael Schroda
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems Biology group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Ivonne Suárez
- Departamento de Biomedicina, Biotecnología y Salud Pública, Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Isidro G. Collado
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - David Scheuring
- Department of Biology, Phytopathology group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Matthias Hahn
- Department of Biology, Phytopathology group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
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11
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Zhu W, Yu M, Xu R, Bi K, Yu S, Xiong C, Liu Z, Sharon A, Jiang D, Wu M, Gu Q, Gong L, Chen W, Wei W. Botrytis cinerea BcSSP2 protein is a late infection phase, cytotoxic effector. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:3420-3435. [PMID: 35170184 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is a broad-host-range necrotrophic phytopathogen responsible for serious diseases in leading crops. To facilitate infection, B. cinerea secretes a large number of effectors that induce plant cell death. In screening secretome data of B. cinerea during infection stage, we identified a phytotoxic protein (BcSSP2) that can also induce immune resistance in plants. BcSSP2 is a small, cysteine-rich protein without any known domains. Transient expression of BcSSP2 in leaves caused chlorosis that intensifies with time and eventually leads to death. Point mutations in eight of 10 cysteine residues abolished phytotoxicity, but residual toxic activity remained after heating treatment, suggesting contribution of unknown epitopes to protein phytotoxicity. The expression of bcssp2 was low during the first 36 h after inoculation and increased sharply upon transition to late infection stage. Deletion of bcssp2 did not cause statistically significant changes in lesions size on bean and tobacco leaves. Further analyses indicated that the phytotoxicity of BcSSP2 is negatively regulated by the receptor-like kinases BAK1 and SOBIR1. Collectively, our findings show that BcSSP2 is an effector protein that toxifies the host cells, but is also recognized by the plant immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China
| | - Mengxue Yu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China
| | - Ran Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China
| | - Kai Bi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China
| | - Shuang Yu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China
| | - Chao Xiong
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China
| | - Zhiguo Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China
| | - Amir Sharon
- School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Daohong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Mingde Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Qiongnan Gu
- Institute of Plant Protection and Soil Fertilizer, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430064, China
| | - Ling Gong
- Pharmacy Faculty, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065, China
| | - Weidong Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology/United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Plant Pathology/United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
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12
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Hunziker L, Tarallo M, Gough K, Guo M, Hargreaves C, Loo TS, McDougal RL, Mesarich CH, Bradshaw RE. Apoplastic effector candidates of a foliar forest pathogen trigger cell death in host and non-host plants. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19958. [PMID: 34620932 PMCID: PMC8497623 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Forests are under threat from pests, pathogens, and changing climate. A major forest pathogen worldwide is the hemibiotroph Dothistroma septosporum, which causes dothistroma needle blight (DNB) of pines. While D. septosporum uses effector proteins to facilitate host infection, it is currently unclear whether any of these effectors are recognised by immune receptors to activate the host immune system. Such information is needed to identify and select disease resistance against D. septosporum in pines. We predicted and investigated apoplastic D. septosporum candidate effectors (DsCEs) using bioinformatics and plant-based experiments. We discovered DsCEs that trigger cell death in the angiosperm Nicotiana spp., indicative of a hypersensitive defence response and suggesting their recognition by immune receptors in non-host plants. In a first for foliar forest pathogens, we developed a novel protein infiltration method to show that tissue-cultured pine shoots can respond with a cell death response to a DsCE, as well as to a reference cell death-inducing protein. The conservation of responses across plant taxa suggests that knowledge of pathogen-angiosperm interactions may also be relevant to pathogen-gymnosperm interactions. These results contribute to our understanding of forest pathogens and may ultimately provide clues to disease immunity in both commercial and natural forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hunziker
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, 6102, Australia
| | - Mariana Tarallo
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4474, New Zealand
| | - Keiko Gough
- Scion, New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
| | - Melissa Guo
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4474, New Zealand
| | - Cathy Hargreaves
- Scion, New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
| | - Trevor S Loo
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4474, New Zealand
| | - Rebecca L McDougal
- Scion, New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
| | - Carl H Mesarich
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4474, New Zealand
| | - Rosie E Bradshaw
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4474, New Zealand.
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13
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Shao D, Smith DL, Kabbage M, Roth MG. Effectors of Plant Necrotrophic Fungi. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:687713. [PMID: 34149788 PMCID: PMC8213389 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.687713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Plant diseases caused by necrotrophic fungal pathogens result in large economic losses in field crop production worldwide. Effectors are important players of plant-pathogen interaction and deployed by pathogens to facilitate plant colonization and nutrient acquisition. Compared to biotrophic and hemibiotrophic fungal pathogens, effector biology is poorly understood for necrotrophic fungal pathogens. Recent bioinformatics advances have accelerated the prediction and discovery of effectors from necrotrophic fungi, and their functional context is currently being clarified. In this review we examine effectors utilized by necrotrophic fungi and hemibiotrophic fungi in the latter stages of disease development, including plant cell death manipulation. We define "effectors" as secreted proteins and other molecules that affect plant physiology in ways that contribute to disease establishment and progression. Studying and understanding the mechanisms of necrotrophic effectors is critical for identifying avenues of genetic intervention that could lead to improved resistance to these pathogens in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mitchell G. Roth
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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14
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Reboledo G, Agorio A, Vignale L, Batista-García RA, Ponce De León I. Botrytis cinerea Transcriptome during the Infection Process of the Bryophyte Physcomitrium patens and Angiosperms. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 7:11. [PMID: 33379257 PMCID: PMC7824268 DOI: 10.3390/jof7010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic pathogen that causes grey mold in many plant species, including crops and model plants of angiosperms. B. cinerea also infects and colonizes the bryophyte Physcomitrium patens (previously Physcomitrella patens), which perceives the pathogen and activates defense mechanisms. However, these defenses are not sufficient to stop fungal invasion, leading finally to plant decay. To gain more insights into B. cinerea infection and virulence strategies displayed during moss colonization, we performed genome wide transcriptional profiling of B. cinerea during different infection stages. We show that, in total, 1015 B. cinerea genes were differentially expressed in moss tissues. Expression patterns of upregulated genes and gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that infection of P. patens tissues by B. cinerea depends on reactive oxygen species generation and detoxification, transporter activities, plant cell wall degradation and modification, toxin production and probable plant defense evasion by effector proteins. Moreover, a comparison with available RNAseq data during angiosperm infection, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Solanum lycopersicum and Lactuca sativa, suggests that B. cinerea has virulence and infection functions used in all hosts, while others are more specific to P. patens or angiosperms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Reboledo
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (G.R.); (A.A.); (L.V.)
| | - Astrid Agorio
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (G.R.); (A.A.); (L.V.)
| | - Lucía Vignale
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (G.R.); (A.A.); (L.V.)
| | - Ramón Alberto Batista-García
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico;
| | - Inés Ponce De León
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (G.R.); (A.A.); (L.V.)
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