A virulent milRNA inhibits host immunity by silencing a host receptor-like kinase MaLYK3 and facilitates infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense.

ABSTRACT: MicroRNA-like RNAs (milRNAs) play a significant role in the infection process by plant-pathogenic fungi. However, the specific functions and regulatory mechanisms of fungal milRNAs remain insufficiently elucidated. This study investigated the function of Foc-milR138, an infection-induced milRNA secreted by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), which is the causal agent of Fusarium wilt of banana. Initially, through precursor gene knockout and phenotypic assessments, we confirmed that Foc-milR138 acts as a virulent milRNA prominently upregulated during the early stages of Foc infection. Subsequent bioinformatic analyses and transient expression assays in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves identified a host receptor-like kinase gene, MaLYK3, as the direct target of Foc-milR138. Functional inves

SUBMITTER: He J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11470196 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature