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A fungal pathogen suppresses host leaf senescence to increase infection

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Listed:
  • Yue Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Xiangru Qu

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Wenjuan Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Qin Wu

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Xiaodong Wang

    (Northwest A&F University)

  • Qiantao Jiang

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Jian Ma

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Yazhou Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Pengfei Qi

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Guoyue Chen

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Youliang Zheng

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Xiaojie Wang

    (Northwest A&F University)

  • Yuming Wei

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

  • Qiang Xu

    (State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China
    Sichuan Agricultural University)

Abstract

Phytopathogens such as Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) induce pigment retention at pathogen infection sites. Although pigment retention is commonly observed in diverse pathosystems, its underlying physiological mechanism remains largely unclear. Herein, we identify and characterize a wheat leaf senescence gene, TaSGR1, which enhances resistance against Pst by promoting leaf senescence and H2O2 accumulation while inhibiting photosynthesis. Knockout of TaSGR1 (STAYGREEN) in wheat increases pigment retention and plant susceptibility. Pst_TTP1 (TaTrx-Targeting Protein 1), a secreted rust fungal effector critical for Pst virulence, binds to the plastidial thioredoxin TaTrx (Thioredoxin), preventing its translocation into chloroplasts. Within the chloroplasts, TaTrx catalyzes the transformation of TaSGR1 oligomers into monomers. These TaSGR1 monomers accumulate in the chloroplasts, accelerating leaf senescence, H2O2 accumulation, and cell death. The inhibition of this oligomer-to-monomer transformation, caused by the failure of TaTrx to enter the chloroplast due to Pst_TTP1, impairs plant resistance against Pst. Overall, our study reveals the suppression of redox signaling cascade that catalyzes the transformation of TaSGR1 oligomers into monomers within chloroplasts and the inhibition of leaf chlorosis by rust effectors as key mechanisms underlying disease susceptibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Yue Li & Xiangru Qu & Wenjuan Yang & Qin Wu & Xiaodong Wang & Qiantao Jiang & Jian Ma & Yazhou Zhang & Pengfei Qi & Guoyue Chen & Youliang Zheng & Xiaojie Wang & Yuming Wei & Qiang Xu, 2025. "A fungal pathogen suppresses host leaf senescence to increase infection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58277-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58277-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rongrong Zhang & Yu Wu & Xiangru Qu & Wenjuan Yang & Qin Wu & Lin Huang & Qiantao Jiang & Jian Ma & Yazhou Zhang & Pengfei Qi & Guoyue Chen & Yunfeng Jiang & Youliang Zheng & Xiaojie Wang & Yuming Wei, 2024. "The RING-finger ubiquitin E3 ligase TaPIR1 targets TaHRP1 for degradation to suppress chloroplast function," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Shengnan Li & Dexing Lin & Yunwei Zhang & Min Deng & Yongxing Chen & Bin Lv & Boshu Li & Yuan Lei & Yanpeng Wang & Long Zhao & Yueting Liang & Jinxing Liu & Kunling Chen & Zhiyong Liu & Jun Xiao & Jin, 2022. "Genome-edited powdery mildew resistance in wheat without growth penalties," Nature, Nature, vol. 602(7897), pages 455-460, February.
    3. Qiang Xu & Chunlei Tang & Xiaodong Wang & Shutian Sun & Jinren Zhao & Zhensheng Kang & Xiaojie Wang, 2019. "An effector protein of the wheat stripe rust fungus targets chloroplasts and suppresses chloroplast function," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
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