The Flower-Infecting Fungus Ustilaginoidea virens Subverts Plant Immunity by Secreting a Chitin-Binding Protein.

ABSTRACT: Ustilaginoidea virens is a biotrophic fungal pathogen specifically colonizing rice floral organ and causes false smut disease of rice. This disease has emerged as a serious problem that hinders the application of high-yield rice cultivars, by reducing grain yield and quality as well as introducing mycotoxins. However, the pathogenic mechanisms of U. virens are still enigmatic. Here we demonstrate that U. virens employs a secreted protein UvCBP1 to manipulate plant immunity. In planta expression of UvCBP1 led to compromised chitin-induced defense responses in Arabidopsis and rice, including burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), callose deposition, and expression of defense-related genes. In vitro-purified UvCBP1 protein competes with rice c

SUBMITTER: Li GB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8377610 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature