Two evolutionary distinct effectors from a nematode and virus target RanGAP1 and 2 via the WPP domain to promote disease

Sukarta, O. C. A.; Munoz, A. D. G.; Slootweg, E. J.; Overmars, H.; van Schaik, C.; Pokhare, S.; Roosien, J.; Pomp, R.; Elashry, A.; Grundler, F.; Smant, G.; Goverse, A.

doi:10.1101/2021.06.24.449730

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.06.24.449730

Two evolutionary distinct effectors from a nematode and virus target RanGAP1 and 2 via the WPP domain to promote disease

Sukarta, O. C. A.·Munoz, A. D. G.·Slootweg, E. J.·Overmars, H.·van Schaik, C.·Pokhare, S.·Roosien, J.·Pomp, R.·Elashry, A.·Grundler, F.·Smant, G.·Goverse, A.

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Abstract

The Gpa2 and Rx1 intracellular immune receptors are canonical CC-NB-LRR proteins belonging to the same R gene cluster in potato. Despite sharing high sequence homology, they have evolved to provide defence against unrelated pathogens. Gpa2 detects Gp-RBP-1 effectors secreted by the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida whereas Rx1 recognizes the viral coat protein (CP) of Potato Virus X (PVX). How Gpa2 and Rx1 perceive their matching effectors remains unknown. Using a combination of in planta Co-Immunoprecipitation and cellular imaging, we show that both Gp-RBP-1 and PVX-CP physically interact with RanGAP2 and RanGAP1 in the cytoplasm of plant cells. Interestingly, this was also demonstrated for the eliciting variants of Gp-RBP-1 and PVX-CP indicating a role for RanGAP1 and RanGAP2 in pathogenicity independent from Gpa2 and Rx1 recognition. Indeed, knocking down both RanGAP homologs reduce cyst nematode and PVX infection. These findings show that RanGAP1/2 act as common host targets of evolutionary distinct effectors from two plant pathogens with different lifestyles. The involvement of RanGAP1/2 to pathogen virulence is a novel role not yet reported for these key host cell components and as such, their possible role in cyst nematode parasitism and viral pathogenicity are discussed. Moreover, from these findings a model emerges for their possible role as co-factor in pathogen recognition by the potato immune receptors Gpa2/Rx1.

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Sukarta, O. C. A., Munoz, A. D. G., Slootweg, E. J., Overmars, H., van Schaik, C., Pokhare, S., Roosien, J., Pomp, R., Elashry, A., Grundler, F., Smant, G., Goverse, A.. 2021-06-25. Two evolutionary distinct effectors from a nematode and virus target RanGAP1 and 2 via the WPP domain to promote disease. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.06.24.449730

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