A Conserved Oomycete CRN Effector Targets Tomato TCP14-2 to Enhance Virulence

Abstract

Phytophthora spp. secrete vast arrays of effector molecules during infection to aid in host colonization. The CRN protein family forms an extensive repertoire of candidate effectors that accumulate in the host nucleus to perturb processes required for immunity. Here, we show that CRN12_997 from P. capsici binds a TCP transcription factor, SlTCP14-2, to inhibit its immunity-associated activity against Phytophthora. Co-immuno-precipitation and split-YFP studies confirm a specific CRN12_997-SlTCP14-2 interaction in vivo. Co-expression of CRN12_997 specifically counteracts the TCP14-enhanced immunity phenotype, suggesting CRN mediated perturbation of SlTCP14-2 function. We show that SlTCP14-2 associates with nuclear chromatin and that CRN12_997 diminishes SlTCP14-2 DNA-binding. Collectively, our data support a model in which SlTCP14-2 associates with chromatin to enhance immunity. The interaction between CRN12_997 and SlTCP14-2 reduces DNA-binding of the immune regulator. We propose that the modulation of SlTCP14-2 chromatin affinity, caused by CRN12-997, enhances susceptibility to Phytophthora capsici.

WideEffHunter: An Algorithm to Predict Canonical and Non-Canonical Effectors in Fungi and Oomycetes

“…Some effectors that are widely distributed in fungi are Avr4, Ecp2, Ecp6, and NIS1, among others [ 30 ]. In oomycetes, the HaRxL23 [ 56 ], RXLR effectors [ 57 ], as well as CRN12_997 and other CRN effectors are conserved [ 58 ]. As more is revealed about complete effectoromes, more conserved families of effectors will be revealed.…”

Multiomic Analysis Reveals Core Regulatory Mechanisms underlying Steroidal Glycoalkaloid Metabolism in Potato Tubers

“…Besides, most pathogenic effectors interact with TCP14; thus, TCP14 inhibits the response to JA when a pathogen infects plants to regulate the immune response. , For instance, the increased expression of SLTCP14 enhances the resistance to P. capsici in tomatoes . MeJA interacts with AaTCP14 and AaORA to jointly promote artemisinin synthesis; in addition, AaTCP14 overexpression also promotes artemisinin synthesis .…”

Oomycete intracellular effectors: specialised weapons targeting strategic plant processes

“…Similarly, a member of the NAC-type TFs, key molecules involved in germination and stress responses, is targeted by four Bremia lactucae effectors (BRLs 04/05/08/09) that bind to lettuce LsNAC069 in the endoplasmic reticulum, and prevents it from relocalising to the nucleus, where it contributes to sustaining host defences (Meisrimler et al, 2019). The P. capsici CRN12-997 targets tomato TF Teosinte-Branched-Cycloidea and PCF 14 (SlTCP14-2), impeding its binding to DNA, which enhances pathogen growth (Stam et al, 2020). Interestingly, in Arabidopsis, TCP14 positively regulates growth during photomorphogenesis and thermomorphogenesis, but it also functions as a negative regulator of the jasmonic acid (JA) signalling pathway.…”