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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.11.20.624400

Aphid effectors suppress plant immunity via recruiting defence proteins to processing bodies

Liu, Q.·Neefjes, A. C. M.·Kobylinska, R.·Mugford, S. T.·Marzo, M.·Canham, J.·Schuster, M.·van der Hoorn, R. A. L.·Chen, Y.·Hogenhout, S. A.
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Abstract

Aphids are small insects that have developed specialized mouthparts and effector proteins to establish long-term relationships with plants. The peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae, is a generalist, feeding on many plant species and capable of transmitting numerous pathogens. This study reveals how host-responsive cathepsins B (CathB) in the oral secretions of M. persicae facilitate aphid survival by modulating plant immune responses. Aphid CathB localize to processing bodies (p-bodies) and recruit key immune regulators EDS1, PAD4, and ADR1 to these bodies, suppressing plant defenses. A plant protein, Acd28.9 (Hsp20 family), counteracts this CathB activity and contributes to plant resistance to aphids. These findings highlight a novel role for p-bodies in plant immunity and uncover a plant resistance mechanism to aphid infestation.

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Liu, Q., Neefjes, A. C. M., Kobylinska, R., Mugford, S. T., Marzo, M., Canham, J., Schuster, M., van der Hoorn, R. A. L., Chen, Y., Hogenhout, S. A.. 2024-11-21. Aphid effectors suppress plant immunity via recruiting defence proteins to processing bodies. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.20.624400

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