The rhizobial type III effectors ErnA and Sup3 hijack the SUMOylation pathway to trigger nodule formation in Aeschynomene species.

ABSTRACT: Rhizobial type III effectors (T3Es) play a crucial role in the symbiotic relationship between rhizobia and legumes by manipulating host cellular processes to promote nodule formation. Previously, we identified two T3Es, ErnA and Sup3, that trigger nodulation in Aeschynomene spp. in the absence of Nod factors. Here, we further investigate the mode of action of these T3Es during root nodule symbiosis. We employed protein interaction assays, in vitro binding and enzymatic activity assays, mutational analyses, and functional nodulation tests to dissect the roles of ErnA and Sup3 and their interactions with the host Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) pathway (SUMOylation). We demonstrate that ErnA contains a SUMO-interacting motif (SIM) at its C terminus, which promotes its interaction with S

SUBMITTER: Haq F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12267903 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature