A Fungal Cysteine-Rich Protein SsSCP Activates Immune Responses and Confers Broad-Spectrum Disease Resistance in Tomato.

ABSTRACT: Plant immune systems recognise pathogen-derived molecular patterns to activate defence responses, yet the mechanisms underlying fungal pattern recognition in crops remain largely unclear. Here, we characterise the cysteine-rich secretory protein SsSCP from the broad-host-range fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as a potent elicitor of immune responses in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Using an optimised Escherichia coli expression system, we successfully produced bioactive SsSCP and demonstrated its ability to induce hallmark immune responses, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) bursts and extensive transcriptional reprogramming. Time-course transcriptomic analysis after SsSCP treatment revealed the rapid activation of defence pathways coupled with suppression of photosynthetic p

SUBMITTER: Zhang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12906804 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature