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Regulation of Oomycete Autophagy, Lipid Droplet Accumulation and Pathogenesis by Three Rab GTPases

Summary

This research investigates three protein molecules called Rab GTPases that control important cellular processes in a disease-causing organism called Peronophythora litchii, which damages litchi fruit crops. Scientists used modern gene-editing technology to remove these proteins and discovered they regulate how the pathogen grows, reproduces through spores, handles stress, and causes disease. The findings suggest these Rab proteins could be targeted to develop new strategies for controlling litchi downy blight and related plant diseases.

Background

Oomycetes cause devastating plant diseases including potato late blight and litchi downy blight. Rab GTPases are critical for intracellular membrane trafficking and play various cellular functions in eukaryotes. However, the functions of Rab GTPases in oomycetes remain largely unexplored.

Objective

This study aims to functionally characterize Rab GTPases in the plant-pathogenic oomycete Peronophythora litchii. The researchers investigated the roles of PlRab8A, PlRab8B, and PlRab6 in mycelial growth, sporulation, stress tolerance, autophagy, lipid droplet accumulation, and pathogenicity.

Results

PlRab8A and PlRab8B were essential for mycelial growth, zoospore formation, cell wall integrity, osmotic stress tolerance, and virulence through laccase activity regulation. PlRab8B co-localized with lipid droplets and negatively affected LD accumulation, while autophagy was enhanced in knockout mutants. PlRab8A directly interacted with PlRab6, which was also required for growth, zoospore formation, and pathogenicity.

Conclusion

This study reports the first functional characterization of three Rab proteins regulating autophagy, lipid droplet accumulation, and pathogenesis in oomycetes. PlRab6 and PlRab8A form a functional complex controlling growth and virulence, while PlRab8B modulates sporulation and pathogenicity through autophagy and lipid metabolism.
  • Published in:Molecular Plant Pathology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 40926342, DOI: 10.1111/mpp.70154
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