Structures of Phytophthora RXLR effector proteins: a conserved but adaptable fold underpins functional diversity.

ABSTRACT: Phytopathogens deliver effector proteins inside host plant cells to promote infection. These proteins can also be sensed by the plant immune system, leading to restriction of pathogen growth. Effector genes can display signatures of positive selection and rapid evolution, presumably a consequence of their co-evolutionary arms race with plants. The molecular mechanisms underlying how effectors evolve to gain new virulence functions and/or evade the plant immune system are poorly understood. Here, we report the crystal structures of the effector domains from two oomycete RXLR proteins, Phytophthora capsici AVR3a11 and Phytophthora infestans PexRD2. Despite sharing <20% sequence identity in their effector domains, they display a conserved core α-helical fold. Bioinformatic analyses suggest th

SUBMITTER: Boutemy LS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3195559 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature