A novel effector CfEC92 of Colletotrichum fructicola contributes to glomerella leaf spot virulence by suppressing plant defences at the early infection phase.

ABSTRACT: The ascomycete fungus Colletotrichum fructicola causes diseases on a broad range of plant species. On susceptible cultivars of apple, it induces severe early defoliation and fruit spots, named glomerella leaf spot (GLS), but the mechanisms of pathogenicity have remained elusive. Phytopathogens exhibit small secreted effectors to advance host infection by manipulating host immune reactions. We report the identification and characterization of CfEC92, an effector required for C. fructicola virulence. CfEC92 is a Colletotrichum-specific small secreted protein that suppresses BAX-triggered cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana. Accumulation of the gene transcript was barely detectable in conidia or vegetative hyphae, but was highly up-regulated in appressoria formed during early apple leaf infec

SUBMITTER: Shang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7279981 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature