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A conserved fungal effector disturbs Ca2+ sensing and ROS homeostasis to induce plant cell death

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  • Yunlong Lin

    (Chongqing University
    Zhoukou Normal University)

  • Chan Xu

    (Chongqing University)

  • Lili Li

    (Zhoukou Normal University)

  • Liqin Fan

    (Chongqing University
    Zhoukou Normal University)

  • Rui Li

    (Chongqing University)

  • Jiaxin He

    (Chongqing University)

  • Hongli Li

    (Zhoukou Normal University)

  • Wei Deng

    (Chongqing University)

  • Zhensheng Kang

    (Northwest A&F University)

  • Zhengguo Li

    (Chongqing University)

  • Yulin Cheng

    (Chongqing University)

Abstract

Acting as a major Ca2+ sensor, calmodulin (CaM) activates target proteins to regulate a variety of cellular processes. Here, we report that CaM–target binding is disturbed by a fungal virulence effector PdCDIE1 (Penicillium digitatum Cell Death-Inducing Effector 1), which results into reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent plant cell death. PdCDIE1 is an evolutionarily conserved fungal effector that exhibits plant cell death-inducing activity and contributes significantly to pathogen virulence. PdCDIE1 interacts with a plant heat shock protein Hsp70 that is antagonistic to ROS-dependent plant cell death. Hsp70 is a bona fide target of CaM and its CaM-binding domain also interacts with N-terminal PdCDIE1. The interaction between CaM and Hsp70 in citrus fruit is disturbed during pathogen infection but recovered during ΔPdCDIE1 mutant infection. Application of a CaM inhibitor and silencing of CaM genes induce plant cell death and high levels of ROS as PdCDIE1 does. These results reveal a molecular framework of effector-triggered susceptibility which integrates Ca2+ sensing and ROS homeostasis to induce plant cell death.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunlong Lin & Chan Xu & Lili Li & Liqin Fan & Rui Li & Jiaxin He & Hongli Li & Wei Deng & Zhensheng Kang & Zhengguo Li & Yulin Cheng, 2025. "A conserved fungal effector disturbs Ca2+ sensing and ROS homeostasis to induce plant cell death," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58833-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58833-z
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    3. Li-Qing Chen & Bi-Huei Hou & Sylvie Lalonde & Hitomi Takanaga & Mara L. Hartung & Xiao-Qing Qu & Woei-Jiun Guo & Jung-Gun Kim & William Underwood & Bhavna Chaudhuri & Diane Chermak & Ginny Antony & Fr, 2010. "Sugar transporters for intercellular exchange and nutrition of pathogens," Nature, Nature, vol. 468(7323), pages 527-532, November.
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