A small secreted protein from Zymoseptoria tritici interacts with a wheat E3 ubiquitin ligase to promote disease

Abstract

Septoria Tritici Blotch, caused by the ascomycete fungus Zymoseptoria tritici, is a major threat to wheat production worldwide. The Z. tritici genome encodes many small, secreted proteins (ZtSSP) that likely play a key role in the successful colonisation of host tissues. However, few of these ZtSSPs have been functionally characterised for their role during infection. In this study, we identified and characterised a small, conserved cysteine-rich secreted effector from Zymoseptoria tritici which has homologues in other plant pathogens in the dothideomycetes. ZtSSP2 was expressed throughout Z. tritici infection in wheat with the highest levels observed early during infection. A yeast two-hybrid assay revealed an interaction between ZtSSP2 and wheat E3 ubiquitin ligase in yeast and this was further confirmed in planta using bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and co-immunoprecipitation. Down-regulation of this wheat E3 ligase using virus-induced gene silencing, increased the susceptibility of wheat to Septoria tritici blotch (STB). Together these results suggest that TaE3UBQ likely plays a role in plant immunity to defend against Z. tritici.

Genetic analysis of morphological traits in spring wheat from the Northeast of China by a genome-wide association study

“…For loci 1A (296.9–297.7 Mb) and 2B (652.7–656.0 Mb), the candidate genes for the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase-like protein ( TraesCS1A01G164400 and TraesCS2B01G466600 ) were identified in the LD decay distance. E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase-like protein plays a crucial role in plant growth and development ( Karki et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2022 ). For loci 4A (41.4–46.2 Mb), candidate gene TraesCS4A01G055000 encoded leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase family protein, which may trigger multiple physiological pathways ( Coleman et al, 2021 ).…”

Ubiquitin Ligase SmDDA1b of Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Enhances Bacterial Wilt Resistance via SmNAC Degradation

“…The E3 ligase has a complex plant disease resistance regulation, including positive and negative regulation. Besides, some interact with pathogens or post-translational modifications of other proteins to directly or indirectly regulate plant disease resistance (Miao et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2020; Karki et al, 2021). For instance, MIEL1 is a RING-type E3 ligase, negatively regulating defense response in Arabidopsis (Marino et al ., 2013).…”

Genetics and breeding for resistance against four leaf spot diseases in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

“…ZtSSP2 was also shown to interact with wheat E3 ubiquitin ligase (TaE3UBQ) thus confirming that down-regulation of this wheat E3 ligase using VIGS increased the susceptibility of wheat to STB. These results suggested that perhaps TaE3UBQ gene also plays a role in providing resistance against Z. tritici ( Karki et al., 2021 ).…”