A. Zuccaro

Time-resolved transcriptomics reveal a mechanism of host niche defense: beneficial root endophytes deploy a host-protective antimicrobial GH18-CBM5 chitinase

This study uses time-resolved transcriptomics to identify a GH18-CBM5 chitinase in Sebacinales fungi that protects plants against the pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana.

Metabolic arms race between a plant and a fungal pathogen

This study identifies a metabolite interaction between barley and the fungal pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana, revealing that plant-produced hordedanes both inhibit other fungi and promote pathogen growth.

Autophagy restricts fungal accommodation in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana

This study shows autophagy limits fungal colonization in Arabidopsis roots by restricting cell death induced by S. indica effectors.

A GH81-type β-glucan-binding protein facilitates colonization by mutualistic fungi in barley

This study identifies a β-glucan-binding protein in barley that facilitates colonization by beneficial fungi and influences resistance to pathogens.

Root cap cell corpse clearance limits microbial colonization in Arabidopsis thaliana

The paper shows that programmed cell death in root caps limits fungal colonization in Arabidopsis thaliana by clearing dead cells, and that BFN1 expression is modulated to allow beneficial microbial accommodation.

Chloroplast protein import determines plant proteostasis and retrograde signaling

This study shows that chloroplast protein import and proteases regulate polyQ proteostasis in plants, with implications for human disease therapy.

A fungal endophyte-generated nucleoside signal regulates host cell death and promotes root colonization

This study identifies fungal enzymes that produce a metabolite triggering plant cell death, which is essential for fungal colonization of roots.

A barley gene cluster for the biosynthesis of diterpenoid phytoalexins

This paper identifies and characterizes a gene cluster in barley responsible for producing diterpenoid phytoalexins in response to fungal infection.

Fungi hijack a plant apoplastic endoglucanase to release a ROS scavenging β-glucan decasaccharide to subvert immune responses

The paper identifies a fungal extracellular polysaccharide matrix component, β-1,3;1,6-glucan decasaccharide, released by a plant enzyme that suppresses plant immunity and enhances fungal colonization.

The fungal root endophyte Serendipita vermifera displays inter-kingdom synergistic beneficial effects with the microbiota in Arabidopsis thaliana and barley

This study shows that the fungal endophyte Serendipita vermifera synergizes with bacterial microbiota to protect Arabidopsis and barley from pathogens, with benefits dependent on host and microbiota composition.

The intrinsic chaperone network of Arabidopsis stem cells confers protection against proteotoxic stress

This study identifies enhanced proteostasis mechanisms in Arabidopsis root stem cells that protect against proteotoxic stress by maintaining protein homeostasis through high levels of TRiC/CCT chaperones.

A secreted LysM effector protects fungal hyphae through chitin-dependent homodimer polymerization

The paper identifies Mg1LysM's role in forming chitin-dependent and independent homodimers, which protect fungal cell walls from host chitinase hydrolysis.

The fungal root endophyte Serendipita indica modifies extracellular nucleotides to subvert plant immunity

This study shows that the fungal endophyte Serendipita indica modifies extracellular nucleotides to suppress plant immunity during colonization.