Divergent ECC1 effector homologs modulate host-specific virulence in cucurbit-infecting <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>.

ABSTRACT: Fusarium oxysporum (Fo) is a soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes wilt disease in over one hundred plant species, with host-specific strains classified into formae speciales (ff. spp.). For example, Fo f. sp. melonis (Fom) only causes disease in melon while Fo f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum (Forc) can infect multiple cucurbit species. The virulence factors underlying host specificity in these cucurbit-infecting formae speciales have largely remained elusive, limiting our understanding of Fo-host interactions. A previous study identified Effector for Cucurbit Compatibility 1a (ECC1a), an avirulence protein from Fom that restricts cucumber infection when introduced into Forc. Here, we show that ECC1a is part of a previously unrecognized effector gene f

SUBMITTER: Vlieger BV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12450888 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature