A Putative Effector LtCSEP1 from <i>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</i> Inhibits BAX-Triggered Cell Death and Suppresses Immunity Responses in <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i>
Qikai Xing,
Yang Cao,
Junbo Peng,
Wei Zhang,
Jiahong Wu,
Yueyan Zhou,
Xinghong Li,
Jiye Yan
Affiliations
Qikai Xing
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruits Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
Yang Cao
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruits Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
Junbo Peng
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruits Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
Wei Zhang
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruits Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
Jiahong Wu
College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Yueyan Zhou
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruits Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
Xinghong Li
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruits Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
Jiye Yan
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruits Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
Lasiodiplodia theobromae is a causal agent of grapevine trunk disease, and it poses a significant threat to the grape industry worldwide. Fungal effectors play an essential role in the interaction between plants and pathogens. However, few studies have been conducted to understand the functions of individual effectors in L. theobromae. In this study, we identified and characterized a candidate secreted effector protein, LtCSEP1, in L. theobromae. Gene expression analysis suggested that transcription of LtCSEP1 in L. theobromae was induced at the early infection stages in the grapevine. Yeast secretion assay revealed that LtCSEP1 contains a functional signal peptide. Transient expression of LtCSEP1 in Nicotiana benthamiana suppresses BAX-trigged cell death and significantly inhibits the flg22-induced PTI-associated gene expression. Furthermore, the ectopic expression of LtCSEP1 in N. benthamiana enhanced disease susceptibility to L. theobromae by downregulating the defense-related genes. These results demonstrated that LtCSEP1 is a potential effector of L. theobromae, which contributes to suppressing the plant’s defenses.
