biostudies-literatureLim YJNational Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)National Research Foundation of Korea9764https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11555045biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)Plant pathogens secrete nuclear effectors into the host nuclei to modulate the host immune system. Although several nuclear effectors of fungal pathogens have been recently reported, the molecular mechanism of NLS-associated transport vehicles of nuclear effectors and the roles of NLS in transcriptional reprogramming of host immunity genes remain enigmatic. We previously reported the MoHTR1, a nuclear effector of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. MoHTR1 is translocated to rice nuclei but not in fungal nuclei. Here, we identify the core NLS (RxKK) responsible for MoHTR1's nuclear localization. MoHTR1 is translocated in the host nucleus through interaction with rice importin α. MoHTR1 NLS empowers it to translocate the cytoplasmic effectors of M. oryzae into rice nuclei. FurthermoreNature communicationsNuclear localization sequence of MoHTR1, a Magnaporthe oryzae effector, for transcriptional reprogramming of immunity genes in rice.PMC11555045RS-2023-002759652018R1A5A1023599RS-2023-00246565Kim SChoi GLee HKim JHLim YJKo JLee YHYoon YJKim KTfalseNuclear localization sequence of MoHTR1, a Magnaporthe oryzae effector, for transcriptional reprogramming of immunity genes in rice.Plant pathogens secrete nuclear effectors into the host nuclei to modulate the host immune system. Although several nuclear effectors of fungal pathogens have been recently reported, the molecular mechanism of NLS-associated transport vehicles of nuclear effectors and the roles of NLS in transcriptional reprogramming of host immunity genes remain enigmatic. We previously reported the MoHTR1, a nuclear effector of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. MoHTR1 is translocated to rice nuclei but not in fungal nuclei. Here, we identify the core NLS (RxKK) responsible for MoHTR1's nuclear localization. MoHTR1 is translocated in the host nucleus through interaction with rice importin α. MoHTR1 NLS empowers it to translocate the cytoplasmic effectors of M. oryzae into rice nuclei. Furthermore2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2026-06-03T01:02:23.563Z2025-04-04T12:01:05.29ZS-EPMC115550453952856510.1038/s41467-024-54272-4