J. Sklenar

An oomycete effector co-opts a host RabGAP protein to remodel pathogen interface and subvert defense-related secretion

The blast effector Pwl2 is a virulence factor that modifies the cellular localisation of host protein HIPP43 to suppress immunity.

This study identifies Pwl2 as a virulence factor in the rice blast fungus that suppresses host immunity by altering the localization of HIPP43.

The leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase QSK1 is a novel regulator of PRR-RBOHD complex and is employed by the bacterial effector HopF2Pto to modulate plant immunity

The paper identifies QSK1 as a novel negative regulator of PRR-RBOHD complex and shows it is targeted by the bacterial effector HopF2Pto to suppress plant immunity.

Subfamily C7 Raf-like kinases MRK1, RAF26, and RAF39 regulate immune homeostasis and stomatal opening in Arabidopsis thaliana

Pathogen protein modularity enables elaborate mimicry of a host phosphatase

The paper identifies a modular (L)WY-LWY motif in Phytophthora effectors that recruits host PP2A phosphatase, enabling phosphoprotein regulation through structural mimicry.

ACTIVATION LOOP PHOSPHORYLATION OF A NON-RD RECEPTOR KINASE INITIATES PLANT INNATE IMMUNE SIGNALING

This study investigates the activation mechanism of a non-RD LRR-RK, showing that phosphorylation of its cytoplasmic domain initiates immune signaling without requiring reciprocal transphosphorylation.

Biophysical and proteomic analyses suggest functions of Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 extracellular vesicles in bacterial growth during plant infection

This study identifies proteins in extracellular vesicles of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and suggests their roles in bacterial growth and plant infection.

Plant pathogens convergently evolved to counteract redundant nodes of an NLR immune receptor network

The paper identifies effectors from plant pathogens that specifically target subsets of NRC immune receptor proteins, revealing convergent strategies to counteract redundant nodes in the NLR network.

Two NLR immune receptors acquired high-affinity binding to a fungal effector through convergent evolution of their integrated domain

The paper reconstructs the evolutionary history of rice NLR receptors Pik-1 and Pik-2, showing their HMA domain evolved convergent high-affinity binding to the fungal effector AVR-PikD.

The phagocytosis oxidase/Bem1p (PB1) domain-containing protein PB1CP negatively regulates the NADPH oxidase RBOHD in plant immunity

This study identifies PB1CP as a negative regulator of RBOHD in plant immunity, showing it relocalizes RBOHD from the plasma membrane to endomembrane compartments.

Host-interactor screens of Phytophthora infestans RXLR proteins reveal vesicle trafficking as a major effector-targeted process

This study identifies host processes targeted by Phytophthora infestans RXLR effectors through protein-protein interaction screens, revealing vesicle trafficking as a major effector-targeted process.

N-terminal β-strand underpins biochemical specialization of an ATG8 isoform

The paper identifies the N-terminal β-strand and a single amino acid polymorphism as key determinants of binding specificity for the ATG8 isoform in potato, shaping interactions with PexRD54 and other plant proteins.

An Oomycete Effector Protein Induces Shade Avoidance In Arabidopsis And Attenuates Salicylate Signaling By Binding To Host Proteins Of The RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH1 Family

The paper shows that the oomycete effector HaRxL106 induces shade avoidance and suppresses salicylic acid signaling in Arabidopsis by interacting with RCD1, a protein involved in immune responses.