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PcLRR-RK3, an LRR receptor kinase is required for growth and in-planta infection processes in Phytophthora capsici

Summary

Researchers studied a specific protein called PcLRR-RK3 that helps Phytophthora capsici, a disease-causing organism, infect plants. By reducing the amount of this protein, they found that the pathogen became much weaker, could not grow as well, and could not successfully infect plants. This protein sits on the surface of the pathogen’s cells and acts like a communication tool that the organism needs to develop and cause disease.

Background

Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) are important signaling proteins in plants, but their function in oomycetes is poorly understood. Phytophthora capsici is a soil-borne oomycete pathogen that causes significant crop damage worldwide. Ten LRR-RLK genes have been identified in the P. capsici genome.

Objective

To investigate the functional importance of PcLRR-RK3, an LRR receptor kinase, in the growth and pathogenicity of Phytophthora capsici. This study aimed to characterize how this gene contributes to vegetative growth, zoospore development, and in-planta infection processes.

Results

PcLRR-RK3-silenced transformants showed impaired colony growth, decreased sporangia formation with abnormal morphology, and reduced zoospore production. Gene silencing severely weakened zoospore germination and penetration into host tissues, resulting in loss of pathogenicity and failure to produce necrotic lesions. PcLRR-RK3 localized to the plasma membrane of cells.

Conclusion

PcLRR-RK3 is essential for regulating vegetative growth, asexual reproduction, and zoospore-mediated infection processes in Phytophthora capsici. The protein functions as a plasma membrane-localized signaling receptor that is critical for the pathogen’s developmental and virulence processes.
  • Published in:Mycology,
  • Study Type:Molecular/Functional Analysis,
  • Source: PMID: 39247892, DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2024.2305720
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