Plant pathogenic fungi hijack phosphate signaling with conserved enzymatic effectors

Fungi deploy host phosphate signaling disrupter

Plants have evolved sophisticated phosphate starvation response (PSR) mechanisms to maintain intracellular phosphate (Pi) homeostasis for proper growth and survival. Recently, McCombe et al. demonstrated that phytopathogens employ a novel strategy to promote disease progression by secreting conserved Nudix hydrolase effector proteins, which disrupt host Pi signaling pathways.

Outsmarted by fungi

A fungal pathogen fabricates phosphate starvation in plant cells to promote virulence.