Dataset Information

Acidovorax citrulli Type III Effector AopP Suppresses Plant Immunity by Targeting the Watermelon Transcription Factor WRKY6.

ABSTRACT: Acidovorax citrulli (Ac) is the causal agent of bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), and BFB poses a threat to global watermelon production. Despite its economic importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying Ac pathogenicity and virulence are not well understood, particularly with regard to its type III secreted effectors. We identify a new effector, AopP, in Ac and confirm its secretion and translocation. AopP suppresses reactive oxygen species burst and salicylic acid (SA) content and significantly contributes to virulence. Interestingly, AopP interacts with a watermelon transcription factor, ClWRKY6, in vivo and in vitro. ClWRKY6 shows typical nuclear localization, and AopP and ClWRKY6 co-localize in the nucleus. Ac infection, SA, and the pathogen-associated molecular pattern flg22 ^Ac promote ClWRKY6 production, suggesting that ClWRKY6 is involved in plant immunity and SA signaling. Furthermore, ClWRKY6 positively regulates PTI and SA production when expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Importantly, AopP reduces ClWRKY6 mRNA and ClWRKY6 protein levels, suggesting that AopP suppresses plant immunity by targeting ClWRKY6. In summary, we identify a novel effector associated with the virulence mechanism of Ac, which interacts with the transcription factor of the natural host, watermelon. The findings of this study provide insights into the mechanisms of watermelon immune responses and may facilitate molecular breeding for bacterial fruit blotch resistance.

SUBMITTER: Zhang X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7718035 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Acidovorax citrulli Type III Effector AopP Suppresses Plant Immunity by Targeting the Watermelon Transcription Factor WRKY6.

Zhang Xiaoxiao X Yang Yuwen Y Zhao Mei M Yang Linlin L Jiang Jie J Walcott Ron R Yang Shanshan S Zhao Tingchang T

Frontiers in plant science 20201120

Acidovorax citrulli (Ac) is the causal agent of bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), and BFB poses a threat to global watermelon production. Despite its economic importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying Ac pathogenicity and virulence are not well understood, particularly with regard to its type III secreted effectors. We identify a new effector, AopP, in Ac and confirm its secretion and translocation. AopP suppresses reactive oxygen species burst and salicylic acid (SA) cont ...[more]

PMID: 33329640

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Project description:Acidovorax citrulli causes bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) of cucurbits, a disease that threatens the cucurbit industry worldwide. Despite the economic importance of BFB, little is known about pathogenicity and fitness strategies of the bacterium. We have observed the phenomenon of phenotypic variation in A. citrulli. Here we report the characterization of phenotypic variants (PVs) of two strains, M6 and 7a1, isolated from melon and watermelon, respectively. Phenotypic variation was observed following growth in rich medium, as well as upon isolation of bacteria from inoculated plants or exposure to several stresses, including heat, salt and acidic conditions. When grown on nutrient agar, all PV colonies possessed a translucent appearance, in contrast to parental strain colonies that were opaque. After 72 h, PV colonies were bigger than parental colonies, and had a fuzzy appearance relative to parental strain colonies that are relatively smooth. A. citrulli colonies are generally surrounded by haloes detectable by the naked eye. These haloes are formed by type IV pilus (T4P)-mediated twitching motility that occurs at the edge of the colony. No twitching haloes could be detected around colonies of both M6 and 7a1 PVs, and microscopy observations confirmed that indeed the PVs did not perform twitching motility. In agreement with these results, transmission electron microscopy revealed that M6 and 7a1 PVs do not produce T4P under tested conditions. PVs also differed from their parental strain in swimming motility and biofilm formation, and interestingly, all assessed variants were less virulent than their corresponding parental strains in seed transmission assays. Slight alterations could be detected in some DNA fingerprinting profiles of 7a1 variants relative to the parental strain, while no differences at all could be seen among M6 variants and parental strain, suggesting that, at least in the latter, phenotypic variation is mediated by slight genetic and/or epigenetic alterations.

Dataset Information

Acidovorax citrulli Type III Effector AopP Suppresses Plant Immunity by Targeting the Watermelon Transcription Factor WRKY6.

Publications

<i>Acidovorax citrulli</i> Type III Effector AopP Suppresses Plant Immunity by Targeting the Watermelon Transcription Factor WRKY6.

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