The sugar beet cyst nematode(Heterodera schachtii) is one of the most destructive pathogens in sugar beet production, which causes serious economic losses every year. Few molecular details of effectors of H. schachtii...The sugar beet cyst nematode(Heterodera schachtii) is one of the most destructive pathogens in sugar beet production, which causes serious economic losses every year. Few molecular details of effectors of H. schachtii parasitism are known. We analyzed the genome and transcriptome data of H. schachtii and identified multiple potential predicted proteins. After filtering out predicted proteins with high homology to other plant-parasitic nematodes, we performed functional validation of the remaining effector proteins. 37 putative effectors of H. schachtii were screened based on the Nicotiana benthamiana system for identifying the effectors that inhibit plant immune response, eventually determines 13 candidate effectors could inhibit cell death caused by Bax. Among the 13 effectors, nine have the ability to inhibit GPA2/RBP1-induced cell death. All 13 effectortriggered immunity(ETI) suppressor genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR and confirmed to result in a significant downregulation of one or more defense genes during infection compared to empty vector. For in situ hybridization,13 effectors were specifically expressed and located in esophageal gland cells. These data and functional analysis set the stage for further studies on the interaction of H. schachtii with host and H. schachtii parasitic control.展开更多
The NAC(NAM,ATAF1/2,and CUC2)is a defense-associated transcription factor(TF)family that positively regulates defense responses to pathogen infection.TaNAC069 positively regulates resistance in wheat to Puccinia triti...The NAC(NAM,ATAF1/2,and CUC2)is a defense-associated transcription factor(TF)family that positively regulates defense responses to pathogen infection.TaNAC069 positively regulates resistance in wheat to Puccinia triticina(Pt).However,the molecular mechanism of its interaction with a Pt effector is not clear.We found that Pt effector Pt-1234 interacts with TaNAC069 to subvert host immunity during Pt infection.Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that expression of Pt-1234 was significantly upregulated during the early stage of Pt infection.Protein-mediated cell death assays in wheat showed that the Pt-1234 protein was unable to induce cell death in wheat near-isogenic lines carrying different leaf rust resistance genes,whereas it suppressed BAX-induced cell death in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana.Silencing of Pt-1234 by host-induced gene silencing(HIGS)significantly reduced the virulence of Pt in the susceptible wheat variety Thatcher.The C subdomain of TaNAC069 was responsible for its interaction with Pt-1234,and the E subdomain was required for TaNAC069-mediated defense responses to Pt in planta.These findings indicate that Pt utilizes Pt-1234 to interact with wheat transcription factor TaNAC069 through its C subdomain,thereby modulating wheat immunity.展开更多
An accurate assessment of host and pathogen gene expression during infection is critical for understanding the molecular aspects of host-pathogen interactions.Often,pathogen-derived transcripts are difficult to ascert...An accurate assessment of host and pathogen gene expression during infection is critical for understanding the molecular aspects of host-pathogen interactions.Often,pathogen-derived transcripts are difficult to ascertain at early infection stages owing to the unfavourable transcript representation compared to the host genes.In this study,we compare two sequencing techniques,RNAseq and enrichment sequencing(RenSeq and PenSeq)of cDNA,to investigate gene expression patterns in the doubled monoploid potato(DM)infected with the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans.Our results reveal distinct advantages of cDNA RenSeq and PenSeq over traditional RNAseq in terms of target gene representation and transcriptional quantification at early infection stages.Throughout the infection time course,cDNA enrichment sequencing enables transcriptomic analyses for more targeted host and pathogen genes.For highly expressed genes that were sampled in parallel by both cDNA enrichment and RNAseq,a high level of concordance in expression profiles is observed,indicative of at least semi-quantitative gene expression representation following enrichment.展开更多
LysM proteins contain the lysin domain(LysM),bind chitin and are found in various organisms including fungi.In phytopathogenic fungi,certain LysM proteins act as effectors to inhibit host immunity,thus increasing fung...LysM proteins contain the lysin domain(LysM),bind chitin and are found in various organisms including fungi.In phytopathogenic fungi,certain LysM proteins act as effectors to inhibit host immunity,thus increasing fungal virulence.However,our understanding of the LysM protein family in Setosphaeria turcica is limited.In this study,eight StLysM genes are identified and designated as StLysM1 to StLysM8.The analysis of sequence features indicates that five proteins(StLysM1,StLysM2,StLysM5,StLysM6,and StLysM7)are potential effectors.Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the StLysMs are divided into fungal/bacterial and fungus-specific subclasses.Domain architecture analysis reveals that the five StLysM effectors exclusively harbor the LysM domain,whereas the other three StLysM proteins contain additional functional domains.Sequence conservation analysis shows that the fungal-specific LysM domain sequences share the ^(8)GDxTC^(12) and ^(29)WNP^(31) motifs as well as three highly conserved cysteine residues.Conversely,the LysM domain sequences from the bacterial/fungal branch have few conserved sites.Moreover,expression profiling analysis shows that the StLysM1 gene is significantly upregulated during the infection of maize.Yeast secretion assays and transient expression experiments demonstrate that StLysM1 is a secreted protein that can suppress BAX/INF1-induced programmed cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana.Further functional analysis suggests that St Lys M1 cannot interact with itself but it can bind chitin.The transient expression of StLysM1 inhibits the chitin-triggered plant immune response,increasing susceptibility to the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea in N.benthamiana.This study reveals that the S.turcica LySM protein family consists of eight members,highlighting the significance of StLysM1 as a vital effector in regulating plant immunity.The results provide insight into StLysMs and establish a foundation for understanding the roles of StLysM proteins in the pathogenic process of S.turcica.展开更多
Inorganic phosphate(Pi)homeostasis in plants is regulated by inositol pyrophosphates(PP-InsPs),which mediate phosphate starvation responses.While beneficial microorganisms,such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,contribu...Inorganic phosphate(Pi)homeostasis in plants is regulated by inositol pyrophosphates(PP-InsPs),which mediate phosphate starvation responses.While beneficial microorganisms,such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,contribute to phosphate uptake,pathogenic fungi often exploit phosphate metabolism to enhance virulence.However,the exact mechanisms by which pathogens manipulate plant phosphate signaling remain largely unknown.Here,we highlight a recent study by Ulrich Schaffrath and colleagues(Science,2025)revealing that plant pathogenic fungi deploy conserved Nudix hydrolase effectors to hydrolyze PP-InsPs,thereby mimicking phosphate starvation and suppressing host immunity.These findings not only expand our understanding of plantpathogen interactions,but also open new avenues for crop protection and resistance breeding.展开更多
Avirulence effectors(Avrs),encoded by plant pathogens,can be recognized by plants harboring the corresponding resistance proteins,thereby initiating effector-triggered immunity(ETI).In susceptible plants,however,Avrs ...Avirulence effectors(Avrs),encoded by plant pathogens,can be recognized by plants harboring the corresponding resistance proteins,thereby initiating effector-triggered immunity(ETI).In susceptible plants,however,Avrs can function as effectors,facilitating infection via effector-triggered susceptibility(ETS).Mechanisms of Avr-mediated ETS remain largely unexplored.Here we report that the Magnaporthe oryzae effector Avr-PikD enters rice cells via the canonical cytoplasmic secretion pathway and suppresses rice basal defense.Avr-PikD interacts with an LSD1-like transcriptional activator AKIP30 of rice,and AKIP30 is also a positive regulator of rice immunity,whereas Avr-PikD impedes its nuclear localization and suppresses its transcriptional activity.In summary,M.oryzae delivers Avr-PikD into rice cells to facilitate ETS by inhibiting AKIP30-mediated transcriptional regulation of immune response against M.oryzae.展开更多
Verticillium dahliae is an important soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes great yield losses in many cash crops.Effectors of this fungus are known to regulate plant immunity but the mechanism much remains unclear.A ...Verticillium dahliae is an important soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes great yield losses in many cash crops.Effectors of this fungus are known to regulate plant immunity but the mechanism much remains unclear.A glycine-rich nuclear effector,VdCE51,was able to suppress immune responses in tobacco against Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.This effector was a required factor for full virulence of V.dahliae,and its nuclear localization was a requisite for suppressing plant immunity.The thioredoxin GhTRXH2,identified as a positive regulator of plant immunity,was a host target of VdCE51.Our findings show a virulence regulating mechanism whereby the secreted nuclear effector VdCE51 interferes with the transcription of PR genes,and the SA signaling pathway by inhibiting the accumulation of GhTRXH2,thus suppressing plant immunity.展开更多
Meloidogyne spp.is an economically important plant-parasitic nematode distributed worldwide.To fight with host immune system for successful parasitism,plant parasitic nematodes secrete effectors to promote infection.I...Meloidogyne spp.is an economically important plant-parasitic nematode distributed worldwide.To fight with host immune system for successful parasitism,plant parasitic nematodes secrete effectors to promote infection.In this study,we identified one chorismate mutase(CM)effector from M.enterolobii,named Me-CM.Spatial and temporal expression assays exhibited Me-cm is expressed in esophageal glands and up-regulated at parasitic-stage juveniles.Me-CM affects the pathogenicity of M.enterolobii based on the reduced infection rate,number of galls,egg masses,eggs per mass and multiplication rate collected from RNA silencing experiments.We showed that Me-CM localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of plant cells and decreased the expression level of the marker gene PR1 of salicylic acid(SA)pathway.Besides,constitutive expression of Me-cm in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly reduced salicylic acid concentration.These results suggested that M.enterolobii may secrete effector Me-CM to fight with plantimmunesystemsvia regulating SA signaling pathway when interacting with host plants,ultimately facilitating parasitism.展开更多
The automated picking technology of tea is an important part of the development of smart agriculture, which affects the development of the tea industry to a certain extent. Tea leaf recognition and robotic tea picking...The automated picking technology of tea is an important part of the development of smart agriculture, which affects the development of the tea industry to a certain extent. Tea leaf recognition and robotic tea picking end-effector are the key technologies for automated tea picking. This paper proposes a set of algorithms for tea leaf differentiation and recognition based on the principle of colour difference. And on the basis of this algorithm, a tea picking end-effector is designed. The experiments show that the designed tea picking end-effector has good recognition ability and high tea picking speed.展开更多
To fulfill the demands for higher quality,efficiency and flexibility in aviation industry,a multi-functional end effector is designed to automate the drilling and riveting processes in assembling carbon fiber reinforc...To fulfill the demands for higher quality,efficiency and flexibility in aviation industry,a multi-functional end effector is designed to automate the drilling and riveting processes in assembling carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP)and aluminum components for a robotic aircraft assembly system.To meet the specific functional requirements for blind rivet installation on CFRP and aluminum materials,additional modules are incorporated on the end effector aside of the basic processing modules for drilling.And all of these processing modules allow for a onestep-drilling-countersinking process,hole inspection,automatic rivet feed,rivet geometry check,sealant application,rivet insertion and installation.Besides,to guarantee the better quality of the hole drilled and joints riveted,several online detection and adjustment measures are applied to this end effector,including the reference detection and perpendicular calibration,which could effectively ensure the positioning precision and perpendicular accuracy as demanded.Finally,the test result shows that this end effector is capable of producing each hole to a positioning precision within ±0.5 mm,aperpendicular accuracy within 0.3°,a diameter tolerance of H8,and a countersink depth tolerance of±0.01 mm.Moreover,it could drill and rivet up to three joints per minute,with acceptable shearing and tensile strength.展开更多
The innate immune system is the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Innate immune cells recognize molecular patterns from the pathogen and mount a response to resolve the infection. The production of pro...The innate immune system is the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Innate immune cells recognize molecular patterns from the pathogen and mount a response to resolve the infection. The production of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, phagocytosis, and induced programmed cell death are processes initiated by innate immune cells in order to combat invading pathogens. However, pathogens have evolved various virulence mechanisms to subvert these responses. One strategy utilized by Gram-negative bacterial pathogens is the deployment of a complex machine termed the type Ⅲ secretion system(T3SS). The T3SS is composed of a syringe-like needle structure and the effector proteins that are injected directly into a target host cell to disrupt a cellular response. The three human pathogenic Yersinia spp.(Y. pestis, Y. enterocolitica, and Y. pseudotuberculosis) are Gramnegative bacteria that share in common a 70 kb virulence plasmid which encodes the T3 SS. Translocation of the Yersinia effector proteins(YopE, YopH, YopT, YopM, YpkA/YopO, and YopP/J) into the target host cell results in disruption of the actin cytoskeleton to inhibit phagocytosis, downregulation of proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine production, and induction of cellular apoptosis of the target cell. Over the past 25 years, studies on the Yersinia effector proteins have unveiled tremendous knowledge of how the effectors enhance Yersinia virulence. Recently, the long awaited crystal structure of YpkA has been solved providing further insights into the activation of the YpkA kinase domain. Multisite autophosphorylation by YpkA to activate its kinase domain was also shown and postulated to serve as a mechanism to bypass regulation by host phosphatases. In addition, novel Yersinia effector protein targets, such as caspase-1, and signaling pathways including activation of the inflammasome were identified. In this review, we summarize the recent discoveries made on Yersinia effector proteins and their contribution to Yersinia pathogenesis.展开更多
The end-effector of the large space manipulator is employed to assist the manipulator in handling and manipulating large payloads on orbit.Currently,there are few researches about the end-effector,and the existing end...The end-effector of the large space manipulator is employed to assist the manipulator in handling and manipulating large payloads on orbit.Currently,there are few researches about the end-effector,and the existing end-effectors have some disadvantages,such as poor misalignment tolerance capability and complex mechanical components.According to the end positioning errors and the residual vibration characters of the large space manipulators,two basic performance requirements of the end-effector which include the capabilities of misalignment tolerance and soft capture are proposed.And the end-effector should accommodate the following misalignments of the mechanical interface.The translation misalignments in axial and radial directions and the angular misalignments in roll,pitch and yaw are ±100 mm,100 mm,±10°,±15°,±15°,respectively.Seven end-effector schemes are presented and the capabilities of misalignment tolerance and soft capture are analyzed elementarily.The three fingers-three petals end-effector and the steel cable-snared end-effector are the most feasible schemes among the seven schemes,and they are designed in detail.The capabilities of misalignment tolerance and soft capture are validated and evaluated,through the experiment on the micro-gravity simulating device and the dynamic analysis in ADAMS software.The results show that the misalignment tolerance capabilities of these two schemes could satisfy the requirement.And the translation misalignment tolerances in axial and radial directions and the angular misalignment tolerances in roll,pitch and yaw of the steel cable-snared end-effector are 30mm,15mm,6°,3° and 3° larger than those of the three fingers-three petals end-effector,respectively.And the contact force of the steel cable-snared end-effector is smaller and smoother than that of the three fingers-three petals end-effector.The end-effector schemes and research methods are beneficial to the developments of the large space manipulator end-effctor and the space docking mechanism.展开更多
Puccinia triticina(Pt), as the causal agent of wheat leaf rust, employs a plethora of effector proteins to modulate wheat immunity for successful colonization. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Pt effe...Puccinia triticina(Pt), as the causal agent of wheat leaf rust, employs a plethora of effector proteins to modulate wheat immunity for successful colonization. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Pt effector-mediated wheat susceptibility remains largely unexplored. In this study, an effector Pt_21 was identified to interact with the apoplast-localized wheat thaumatin-like protein TaTLP1 using a yeast two-hybrid assay and the Pt_21-TaTLP1 interaction was characterized. The interaction between Pt_21 and TaTLP1 was validated by in vivo co-immunoprecipitation assay. A TaTLP1 variant,TaTLP1C71A, that was identified by the site-directed mutagenesis failed to interact with Pt_21. Pt_21was able to suppress Bax-mediated cell death in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana and inhibit TaTLP1-mediated antifungal activity. Furthermore, infiltration of recombinant protein Pt_21 into leaves of transgenic wheat line overexpressing TaTLP1 enhanced the disease development of leaf rust compared to that in wild-type leaves. These findings demonstrate that Pt_21 suppresses host defense response by directly targeting wheat TaTLP1 and inhibiting its antifungal activity, which broadens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Pt effector-mediated susceptibility in wheat.展开更多
In China, there are approximately 20 million people suffering from peripheral nerve injury and this number is increasing at a rate of 2 million per year. These patients cannot live or work independently and are a heav...In China, there are approximately 20 million people suffering from peripheral nerve injury and this number is increasing at a rate of 2 million per year. These patients cannot live or work independently and are a heavy responsibility on both family and society because of extreme disability and dysfunction caused by peripheral nerve injury （PNI）. Thus, repair of PNI has become a major public health issue in China.展开更多
Ralstonia solanacearum is a widespread plant bacterial pathogen that can launch a range of type Ⅲ effectors(T3Es)to cause disease.In this study,we isolate a pathogenic R.solanacearum strain named P380 from tomato rhi...Ralstonia solanacearum is a widespread plant bacterial pathogen that can launch a range of type Ⅲ effectors(T3Es)to cause disease.In this study,we isolate a pathogenic R.solanacearum strain named P380 from tomato rhizosphere.Five out of 12 core T3Es of strain P380 are introduced into Pseudomonas syringae DC3000D36E separately to determine their functions in interacting with plants.DC3000D36E that harbors each effector suppresses FliC-triggered Pti5 and ACRE31 expression,ROS burst,and callose deposition.RipAE,RipU,and RipW elicit cell death as well as upregulate the MAPK cascades in Nicotiana benthamiana.The derivatives RipC1^(△DDXDX(T/V))and RipW^(△DDKXXQ)but not RipAE^(K310R) fail to suppress ROS burst.Moreover,RipAE^(K310R) and RipW^(△DDKXXQ) retain the cell death elicitation ability.RipAE and RipW are associated with salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways,respectively.RipAE and RipAQ significantly promote the propagation of DC3000D36E in plants.The five core T3Es localize in diverse subcellular organelles of nucleus,plasma membrane,endoplasmic reticulum,and Golgi network.The suppressor of G2 allele of Skp1 is required for RipAE but not RipU-triggered cell death in N.benthamiana.These results indicate that the core T3Es in R.solanacearum play diverse roles in plantpathogen interactions.展开更多
Meloidogyne incognita is a devastating plant-parasitic nematode.Effectors play important roles during the stages of nematodes infection and parasitism,but their molecular functions remain largely unknown.In this study...Meloidogyne incognita is a devastating plant-parasitic nematode.Effectors play important roles during the stages of nematodes infection and parasitism,but their molecular functions remain largely unknown.In this study,we characterized a new effector,Minc03329,which contains signal peptide for secretion and a C-type lectin domain.The yeast signal sequence trap experiments indicated that the signal peptide of Minc03329 is functional.In situ hybridization showed that Minc03329 was specifically expressed in the subventral esophageal gland.Real-time qPCR confirmed that the expression level of Minc03329 transcript was significantly increased in pre-parasitic and parasitic second-stage juveniles(pre-J2s and par-J2s).Tobacco rattle virus(TRV)-mediated gene silencing of Minc03329 in host plants largely reduced the pathogenicity of nematodes.On the contrary,ectopic expression of Minc03329 in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly increased plant susceptibility to nematodes.Transient expression of Minc03329 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves suppressed the programmed cell death triggered by the pro-apoptotic protein BAX.Moreover,the transcriptome analysis of Minc03329-transgenic Arabidopsis and wild type revealed that many defense-related genes were significantly down-regulated.Interestingly,some different expressed genes were involved in the formation of nematode feeding sites.These results revealed that Minc03329 is an important effector for M.incognita,suppressing host defense response and promoting pathogenicity.展开更多
Transcription activator-like effectors （TALEs） that were related to bacteria immune system have lately been employed in a promising approach of precise gene targeting. Because of the repetitive characteristics of TA...Transcription activator-like effectors （TALEs） that were related to bacteria immune system have lately been employed in a promising approach of precise gene targeting. Because of the repetitive characteristics of TALEs, existing TALE assembly methods are either very complicated, time-consuming, or too tricky to be handled in common labs. Here, we reported a rapid, efficient and easy method for TALE assembly. This method takes advantage of uracil-specific excision reagent （USER）, an enzyme that can cleave DNA constructs and create long, unique single-strand DNA overhangs. Upon USER treatment, the overhangs on each individual TALE repeat unit can be rejoined hierarchically to form pentamers in a ligation-independent manner. Eventually, three pentamers are assembled into a full TALE construct by Golden Gate cloning. TALE nucleases （TALENs） generated with this method exhibit high genome-editing activity in human cells such as HEK293FT cells. Using this method, we have successfully synthesized three TALEN pairs targeting endogenous Tetl locus, and proved that all can specifically target Tetl gene, though in various degree. Comparing to other methods of TALEN assembly, this one is much less labor intensive and fairly faster, and positive clones can be obtained at high efficiency within only two days. We thus contribute to an easier approach for effective TALENs synthesis, which may highly facilitate the wide application of TALEN technology in genome editing, especially for human cells that require precise targeting.展开更多
Vaccination with chemokine genetransfected tumor cells may be a new apporach to cancer treatment. Macrohage inflammatory protein1α (MIP1α) is a new type of chemokines which has chemotactic activity on effector cells...Vaccination with chemokine genetransfected tumor cells may be a new apporach to cancer treatment. Macrohage inflammatory protein1α (MIP1α) is a new type of chemokines which has chemotactic activity on effector cells. In the present study, the B16 melanoma cells were transfected with recombinant adenovirus harboring murine MIP1α gene. The biological characteristics of the MIP1α gene transfected B16 melanoma cells were investigated. The level of MIP1α in the supernatant of genetransfected melanoma cells was 368±24 ng/ml/106/24hr. This supernatant showed strong chematactic activity for NK cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells or the freshly isolated peritoneal macrophages. Though the in vitro growth were not altered, the tumorigenicity of the genetransfected B16 melanoma cells decreased signicantly. The infiltration of inflammatory cells into the tumor mass formed by MIP1α genetransfected B16 cells were much more obvious than that by wildtype B16 cells or B16 cells transfected with the control gene. However, the survival time of the mice bearing B16 melanoma cells transfected with MIP1α gene was not prolonged and the NK, CTL activity remianed unchanged. We suggested that the in vivo phenomenon may be related to the high toxicity of the MIP1 α as a strong nonspecific inflammatory mediator.展开更多
Multiple sclerosis （MS） is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder that is thought to be mediated by autoreactive T lymphocytes that find their way into the central nervous system （CNS）. The patholog...Multiple sclerosis （MS） is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder that is thought to be mediated by autoreactive T lymphocytes that find their way into the central nervous system （CNS）. The pathological mechanism of MS is still being elucidated but it involves complex interactions between infiltrating immune cells and resi- dent glial cells within the CNS that culminate into strong neuroinflammation and axonal damage.展开更多
The elimination of the tumor is closely relatedwith the sensitivity of tumor cells to the cytotoxicityof immune effector cells. We supposed that cytokinegenetransfection may increase the cytotoxicitysusceptibility of ...The elimination of the tumor is closely relatedwith the sensitivity of tumor cells to the cytotoxicityof immune effector cells. We supposed that cytokinegenetransfection may increase the cytotoxicitysusceptibility of tumor cells to effector cells, and as aconsequence, the tumorigenicity decreased. Beforekilling tumor cells, effector cells required first torecognize non-specific surface adhesion molecules展开更多
基金supported by the Open Fund of the Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crop in Northwestern Oasis,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairsof China(KFJJ202101)the National KeyR&D Program of China(2021YFD1400100)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31972247)the Tianchi Talent Introduction Program in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China and the Science and Technology Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
文摘The sugar beet cyst nematode(Heterodera schachtii) is one of the most destructive pathogens in sugar beet production, which causes serious economic losses every year. Few molecular details of effectors of H. schachtii parasitism are known. We analyzed the genome and transcriptome data of H. schachtii and identified multiple potential predicted proteins. After filtering out predicted proteins with high homology to other plant-parasitic nematodes, we performed functional validation of the remaining effector proteins. 37 putative effectors of H. schachtii were screened based on the Nicotiana benthamiana system for identifying the effectors that inhibit plant immune response, eventually determines 13 candidate effectors could inhibit cell death caused by Bax. Among the 13 effectors, nine have the ability to inhibit GPA2/RBP1-induced cell death. All 13 effectortriggered immunity(ETI) suppressor genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR and confirmed to result in a significant downregulation of one or more defense genes during infection compared to empty vector. For in situ hybridization,13 effectors were specifically expressed and located in esophageal gland cells. These data and functional analysis set the stage for further studies on the interaction of H. schachtii with host and H. schachtii parasitic control.
基金funded by State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation(NCCIR2023ZZ-10)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32172384 and 31501623)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei(C2020204028)the Science and Technology Research Project of Higher Education of Hebei(ZC2023178).
文摘The NAC(NAM,ATAF1/2,and CUC2)is a defense-associated transcription factor(TF)family that positively regulates defense responses to pathogen infection.TaNAC069 positively regulates resistance in wheat to Puccinia triticina(Pt).However,the molecular mechanism of its interaction with a Pt effector is not clear.We found that Pt effector Pt-1234 interacts with TaNAC069 to subvert host immunity during Pt infection.Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that expression of Pt-1234 was significantly upregulated during the early stage of Pt infection.Protein-mediated cell death assays in wheat showed that the Pt-1234 protein was unable to induce cell death in wheat near-isogenic lines carrying different leaf rust resistance genes,whereas it suppressed BAX-induced cell death in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana.Silencing of Pt-1234 by host-induced gene silencing(HIGS)significantly reduced the virulence of Pt in the susceptible wheat variety Thatcher.The C subdomain of TaNAC069 was responsible for its interaction with Pt-1234,and the E subdomain was required for TaNAC069-mediated defense responses to Pt in planta.These findings indicate that Pt utilizes Pt-1234 to interact with wheat transcription factor TaNAC069 through its C subdomain,thereby modulating wheat immunity.
基金supported by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services (RESAS) Division of the Scottish Government through project JHI-B1-1the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) through awards BB/ S015663/1+2 种基金BB/X009068/1Research Leaders 2025 fellowship funded by European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 754380the Research/Scientific Computing teams at The James Hutton Institute and NIAB for providing computational resources and technical support for the “UK’s Crop Diversity Bioinformatics HPC” (BBSRC grant BB/ S019669/1)。
文摘An accurate assessment of host and pathogen gene expression during infection is critical for understanding the molecular aspects of host-pathogen interactions.Often,pathogen-derived transcripts are difficult to ascertain at early infection stages owing to the unfavourable transcript representation compared to the host genes.In this study,we compare two sequencing techniques,RNAseq and enrichment sequencing(RenSeq and PenSeq)of cDNA,to investigate gene expression patterns in the doubled monoploid potato(DM)infected with the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans.Our results reveal distinct advantages of cDNA RenSeq and PenSeq over traditional RNAseq in terms of target gene representation and transcriptional quantification at early infection stages.Throughout the infection time course,cDNA enrichment sequencing enables transcriptomic analyses for more targeted host and pathogen genes.For highly expressed genes that were sampled in parallel by both cDNA enrichment and RNAseq,a high level of concordance in expression profiles is observed,indicative of at least semi-quantitative gene expression representation following enrichment.
基金supported by the S&T Program of Hebei,China(23567601H)the Hebei Provincial Central Leading Local Science and Technology Development Fund Project,China(236Z6508G)+1 种基金the Basic Research Funds for Provincial Universities in Hebei Province,China(KY2022037 and KY2021042)the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province,China(C2023204100 and C2021204136)。
文摘LysM proteins contain the lysin domain(LysM),bind chitin and are found in various organisms including fungi.In phytopathogenic fungi,certain LysM proteins act as effectors to inhibit host immunity,thus increasing fungal virulence.However,our understanding of the LysM protein family in Setosphaeria turcica is limited.In this study,eight StLysM genes are identified and designated as StLysM1 to StLysM8.The analysis of sequence features indicates that five proteins(StLysM1,StLysM2,StLysM5,StLysM6,and StLysM7)are potential effectors.Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the StLysMs are divided into fungal/bacterial and fungus-specific subclasses.Domain architecture analysis reveals that the five StLysM effectors exclusively harbor the LysM domain,whereas the other three StLysM proteins contain additional functional domains.Sequence conservation analysis shows that the fungal-specific LysM domain sequences share the ^(8)GDxTC^(12) and ^(29)WNP^(31) motifs as well as three highly conserved cysteine residues.Conversely,the LysM domain sequences from the bacterial/fungal branch have few conserved sites.Moreover,expression profiling analysis shows that the StLysM1 gene is significantly upregulated during the infection of maize.Yeast secretion assays and transient expression experiments demonstrate that StLysM1 is a secreted protein that can suppress BAX/INF1-induced programmed cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana.Further functional analysis suggests that St Lys M1 cannot interact with itself but it can bind chitin.The transient expression of StLysM1 inhibits the chitin-triggered plant immune response,increasing susceptibility to the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea in N.benthamiana.This study reveals that the S.turcica LySM protein family consists of eight members,highlighting the significance of StLysM1 as a vital effector in regulating plant immunity.The results provide insight into StLysMs and establish a foundation for understanding the roles of StLysM proteins in the pathogenic process of S.turcica.
基金the financial support from China Youth Science Foundation(22207037).
文摘Inorganic phosphate(Pi)homeostasis in plants is regulated by inositol pyrophosphates(PP-InsPs),which mediate phosphate starvation responses.While beneficial microorganisms,such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,contribute to phosphate uptake,pathogenic fungi often exploit phosphate metabolism to enhance virulence.However,the exact mechanisms by which pathogens manipulate plant phosphate signaling remain largely unknown.Here,we highlight a recent study by Ulrich Schaffrath and colleagues(Science,2025)revealing that plant pathogenic fungi deploy conserved Nudix hydrolase effectors to hydrolyze PP-InsPs,thereby mimicking phosphate starvation and suppressing host immunity.These findings not only expand our understanding of plantpathogen interactions,but also open new avenues for crop protection and resistance breeding.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31401692,31901960,32272513,32001976)the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province(2019J01766,2023J011418,2020J05177)+3 种基金Fujian Provincial Science and Technology Key Project(2022NZ030014)External Cooperation Program of Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences(DWHZ-2024-23)State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crop Opening Project(SKL2019005)Project of Fujian Provincial Department of Education(JAT190627)。
文摘Avirulence effectors(Avrs),encoded by plant pathogens,can be recognized by plants harboring the corresponding resistance proteins,thereby initiating effector-triggered immunity(ETI).In susceptible plants,however,Avrs can function as effectors,facilitating infection via effector-triggered susceptibility(ETS).Mechanisms of Avr-mediated ETS remain largely unexplored.Here we report that the Magnaporthe oryzae effector Avr-PikD enters rice cells via the canonical cytoplasmic secretion pathway and suppresses rice basal defense.Avr-PikD interacts with an LSD1-like transcriptional activator AKIP30 of rice,and AKIP30 is also a positive regulator of rice immunity,whereas Avr-PikD impedes its nuclear localization and suppresses its transcriptional activity.In summary,M.oryzae delivers Avr-PikD into rice cells to facilitate ETS by inhibiting AKIP30-mediated transcriptional regulation of immune response against M.oryzae.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2018YFE0112500)the Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shannxi Province(2024JCYBMS-183).We thank Professor Hui-shan Guo from the Institute of Microbiology,Chinese Academy of Sciences for providing the pNat-Tef-TrpC and pGKO-HPT vector,and Dr.Siwei Zhang from Northwest A&F University for providing the pER8-NeYFP,pER8-CeYFP,and pGEX-4T-1 vectors.
文摘Verticillium dahliae is an important soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes great yield losses in many cash crops.Effectors of this fungus are known to regulate plant immunity but the mechanism much remains unclear.A glycine-rich nuclear effector,VdCE51,was able to suppress immune responses in tobacco against Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.This effector was a required factor for full virulence of V.dahliae,and its nuclear localization was a requisite for suppressing plant immunity.The thioredoxin GhTRXH2,identified as a positive regulator of plant immunity,was a host target of VdCE51.Our findings show a virulence regulating mechanism whereby the secreted nuclear effector VdCE51 interferes with the transcription of PR genes,and the SA signaling pathway by inhibiting the accumulation of GhTRXH2,thus suppressing plant immunity.
基金supported by the Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(323MS102 and 320QN307)Central Public-Interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund,China(1630042022008)。
文摘Meloidogyne spp.is an economically important plant-parasitic nematode distributed worldwide.To fight with host immune system for successful parasitism,plant parasitic nematodes secrete effectors to promote infection.In this study,we identified one chorismate mutase(CM)effector from M.enterolobii,named Me-CM.Spatial and temporal expression assays exhibited Me-cm is expressed in esophageal glands and up-regulated at parasitic-stage juveniles.Me-CM affects the pathogenicity of M.enterolobii based on the reduced infection rate,number of galls,egg masses,eggs per mass and multiplication rate collected from RNA silencing experiments.We showed that Me-CM localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of plant cells and decreased the expression level of the marker gene PR1 of salicylic acid(SA)pathway.Besides,constitutive expression of Me-cm in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly reduced salicylic acid concentration.These results suggested that M.enterolobii may secrete effector Me-CM to fight with plantimmunesystemsvia regulating SA signaling pathway when interacting with host plants,ultimately facilitating parasitism.
文摘The automated picking technology of tea is an important part of the development of smart agriculture, which affects the development of the tea industry to a certain extent. Tea leaf recognition and robotic tea picking end-effector are the key technologies for automated tea picking. This paper proposes a set of algorithms for tea leaf differentiation and recognition based on the principle of colour difference. And on the basis of this algorithm, a tea picking end-effector is designed. The experiments show that the designed tea picking end-effector has good recognition ability and high tea picking speed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundations of China(Nos.5157051626,51475225)
文摘To fulfill the demands for higher quality,efficiency and flexibility in aviation industry,a multi-functional end effector is designed to automate the drilling and riveting processes in assembling carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP)and aluminum components for a robotic aircraft assembly system.To meet the specific functional requirements for blind rivet installation on CFRP and aluminum materials,additional modules are incorporated on the end effector aside of the basic processing modules for drilling.And all of these processing modules allow for a onestep-drilling-countersinking process,hole inspection,automatic rivet feed,rivet geometry check,sealant application,rivet insertion and installation.Besides,to guarantee the better quality of the hole drilled and joints riveted,several online detection and adjustment measures are applied to this end effector,including the reference detection and perpendicular calibration,which could effectively ensure the positioning precision and perpendicular accuracy as demanded.Finally,the test result shows that this end effector is capable of producing each hole to a positioning precision within ±0.5 mm,aperpendicular accuracy within 0.3°,a diameter tolerance of H8,and a countersink depth tolerance of±0.01 mm.Moreover,it could drill and rivet up to three joints per minute,with acceptable shearing and tensile strength.
基金Supported by the ASM Robert D Watkins Graduate FellowshipUC Davis Hellman Fellowship
文摘The innate immune system is the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Innate immune cells recognize molecular patterns from the pathogen and mount a response to resolve the infection. The production of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, phagocytosis, and induced programmed cell death are processes initiated by innate immune cells in order to combat invading pathogens. However, pathogens have evolved various virulence mechanisms to subvert these responses. One strategy utilized by Gram-negative bacterial pathogens is the deployment of a complex machine termed the type Ⅲ secretion system(T3SS). The T3SS is composed of a syringe-like needle structure and the effector proteins that are injected directly into a target host cell to disrupt a cellular response. The three human pathogenic Yersinia spp.(Y. pestis, Y. enterocolitica, and Y. pseudotuberculosis) are Gramnegative bacteria that share in common a 70 kb virulence plasmid which encodes the T3 SS. Translocation of the Yersinia effector proteins(YopE, YopH, YopT, YopM, YpkA/YopO, and YopP/J) into the target host cell results in disruption of the actin cytoskeleton to inhibit phagocytosis, downregulation of proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine production, and induction of cellular apoptosis of the target cell. Over the past 25 years, studies on the Yersinia effector proteins have unveiled tremendous knowledge of how the effectors enhance Yersinia virulence. Recently, the long awaited crystal structure of YpkA has been solved providing further insights into the activation of the YpkA kinase domain. Multisite autophosphorylation by YpkA to activate its kinase domain was also shown and postulated to serve as a mechanism to bypass regulation by host phosphatases. In addition, novel Yersinia effector protein targets, such as caspase-1, and signaling pathways including activation of the inflammasome were identified. In this review, we summarize the recent discoveries made on Yersinia effector proteins and their contribution to Yersinia pathogenesis.
基金supported by National Hi-tech Research and Development Program of China(863 Program,Grant No. 2006AA04Z228)
文摘The end-effector of the large space manipulator is employed to assist the manipulator in handling and manipulating large payloads on orbit.Currently,there are few researches about the end-effector,and the existing end-effectors have some disadvantages,such as poor misalignment tolerance capability and complex mechanical components.According to the end positioning errors and the residual vibration characters of the large space manipulators,two basic performance requirements of the end-effector which include the capabilities of misalignment tolerance and soft capture are proposed.And the end-effector should accommodate the following misalignments of the mechanical interface.The translation misalignments in axial and radial directions and the angular misalignments in roll,pitch and yaw are ±100 mm,100 mm,±10°,±15°,±15°,respectively.Seven end-effector schemes are presented and the capabilities of misalignment tolerance and soft capture are analyzed elementarily.The three fingers-three petals end-effector and the steel cable-snared end-effector are the most feasible schemes among the seven schemes,and they are designed in detail.The capabilities of misalignment tolerance and soft capture are validated and evaluated,through the experiment on the micro-gravity simulating device and the dynamic analysis in ADAMS software.The results show that the misalignment tolerance capabilities of these two schemes could satisfy the requirement.And the translation misalignment tolerances in axial and radial directions and the angular misalignment tolerances in roll,pitch and yaw of the steel cable-snared end-effector are 30mm,15mm,6°,3° and 3° larger than those of the three fingers-three petals end-effector,respectively.And the contact force of the steel cable-snared end-effector is smaller and smoother than that of the three fingers-three petals end-effector.The end-effector schemes and research methods are beneficial to the developments of the large space manipulator end-effctor and the space docking mechanism.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32172384 and 31501623)the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei (C2020204028)+1 种基金the Key Research and Development Project of Hebei Province (20326505D)the “Hundred Talents Program” for the Introduction of High-level Overseas Talents in Hebei Province (E2020100004)。
文摘Puccinia triticina(Pt), as the causal agent of wheat leaf rust, employs a plethora of effector proteins to modulate wheat immunity for successful colonization. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Pt effector-mediated wheat susceptibility remains largely unexplored. In this study, an effector Pt_21 was identified to interact with the apoplast-localized wheat thaumatin-like protein TaTLP1 using a yeast two-hybrid assay and the Pt_21-TaTLP1 interaction was characterized. The interaction between Pt_21 and TaTLP1 was validated by in vivo co-immunoprecipitation assay. A TaTLP1 variant,TaTLP1C71A, that was identified by the site-directed mutagenesis failed to interact with Pt_21. Pt_21was able to suppress Bax-mediated cell death in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana and inhibit TaTLP1-mediated antifungal activity. Furthermore, infiltration of recombinant protein Pt_21 into leaves of transgenic wheat line overexpressing TaTLP1 enhanced the disease development of leaf rust compared to that in wild-type leaves. These findings demonstrate that Pt_21 suppresses host defense response by directly targeting wheat TaTLP1 and inhibiting its antifungal activity, which broadens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Pt effector-mediated susceptibility in wheat.
基金supported by grants from the National Program on Key Basic Research Project of China(973 Program),No.2014CB542200Program for Innovative Research Team in University of Ministry of Education of China,No.IRT1201+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31271284,31171150,81171146,30971526,31100860,31040043Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University of Ministry of Education of China,No.BMU20110270
文摘In China, there are approximately 20 million people suffering from peripheral nerve injury and this number is increasing at a rate of 2 million per year. These patients cannot live or work independently and are a heavy responsibility on both family and society because of extreme disability and dysfunction caused by peripheral nerve injury （PNI）. Thus, repair of PNI has become a major public health issue in China.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2019YFD1002000)the Science and Technology Programs of the Shandong Tobacco(KN273)Zunyi Tobacco(2021XM03).
文摘Ralstonia solanacearum is a widespread plant bacterial pathogen that can launch a range of type Ⅲ effectors(T3Es)to cause disease.In this study,we isolate a pathogenic R.solanacearum strain named P380 from tomato rhizosphere.Five out of 12 core T3Es of strain P380 are introduced into Pseudomonas syringae DC3000D36E separately to determine their functions in interacting with plants.DC3000D36E that harbors each effector suppresses FliC-triggered Pti5 and ACRE31 expression,ROS burst,and callose deposition.RipAE,RipU,and RipW elicit cell death as well as upregulate the MAPK cascades in Nicotiana benthamiana.The derivatives RipC1^(△DDXDX(T/V))and RipW^(△DDKXXQ)but not RipAE^(K310R) fail to suppress ROS burst.Moreover,RipAE^(K310R) and RipW^(△DDKXXQ) retain the cell death elicitation ability.RipAE and RipW are associated with salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways,respectively.RipAE and RipAQ significantly promote the propagation of DC3000D36E in plants.The five core T3Es localize in diverse subcellular organelles of nucleus,plasma membrane,endoplasmic reticulum,and Golgi network.The suppressor of G2 allele of Skp1 is required for RipAE but not RipU-triggered cell death in N.benthamiana.These results indicate that the core T3Es in R.solanacearum play diverse roles in plantpathogen interactions.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31672010 and 31871942)the Beijing Natural Science Foundation,China(6222054)+1 种基金the China Agriculture Research System(CARS-23)the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China(2018MS03083)。
文摘Meloidogyne incognita is a devastating plant-parasitic nematode.Effectors play important roles during the stages of nematodes infection and parasitism,but their molecular functions remain largely unknown.In this study,we characterized a new effector,Minc03329,which contains signal peptide for secretion and a C-type lectin domain.The yeast signal sequence trap experiments indicated that the signal peptide of Minc03329 is functional.In situ hybridization showed that Minc03329 was specifically expressed in the subventral esophageal gland.Real-time qPCR confirmed that the expression level of Minc03329 transcript was significantly increased in pre-parasitic and parasitic second-stage juveniles(pre-J2s and par-J2s).Tobacco rattle virus(TRV)-mediated gene silencing of Minc03329 in host plants largely reduced the pathogenicity of nematodes.On the contrary,ectopic expression of Minc03329 in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly increased plant susceptibility to nematodes.Transient expression of Minc03329 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves suppressed the programmed cell death triggered by the pro-apoptotic protein BAX.Moreover,the transcriptome analysis of Minc03329-transgenic Arabidopsis and wild type revealed that many defense-related genes were significantly down-regulated.Interestingly,some different expressed genes were involved in the formation of nematode feeding sites.These results revealed that Minc03329 is an important effector for M.incognita,suppressing host defense response and promoting pathogenicity.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. Y211291131)the "Strategic Priority Research Program" of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. XDA01040109)
文摘Transcription activator-like effectors （TALEs） that were related to bacteria immune system have lately been employed in a promising approach of precise gene targeting. Because of the repetitive characteristics of TALEs, existing TALE assembly methods are either very complicated, time-consuming, or too tricky to be handled in common labs. Here, we reported a rapid, efficient and easy method for TALE assembly. This method takes advantage of uracil-specific excision reagent （USER）, an enzyme that can cleave DNA constructs and create long, unique single-strand DNA overhangs. Upon USER treatment, the overhangs on each individual TALE repeat unit can be rejoined hierarchically to form pentamers in a ligation-independent manner. Eventually, three pentamers are assembled into a full TALE construct by Golden Gate cloning. TALE nucleases （TALENs） generated with this method exhibit high genome-editing activity in human cells such as HEK293FT cells. Using this method, we have successfully synthesized three TALEN pairs targeting endogenous Tetl locus, and proved that all can specifically target Tetl gene, though in various degree. Comparing to other methods of TALEN assembly, this one is much less labor intensive and fairly faster, and positive clones can be obtained at high efficiency within only two days. We thus contribute to an easier approach for effective TALENs synthesis, which may highly facilitate the wide application of TALEN technology in genome editing, especially for human cells that require precise targeting.
文摘Vaccination with chemokine genetransfected tumor cells may be a new apporach to cancer treatment. Macrohage inflammatory protein1α (MIP1α) is a new type of chemokines which has chemotactic activity on effector cells. In the present study, the B16 melanoma cells were transfected with recombinant adenovirus harboring murine MIP1α gene. The biological characteristics of the MIP1α gene transfected B16 melanoma cells were investigated. The level of MIP1α in the supernatant of genetransfected melanoma cells was 368±24 ng/ml/106/24hr. This supernatant showed strong chematactic activity for NK cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells or the freshly isolated peritoneal macrophages. Though the in vitro growth were not altered, the tumorigenicity of the genetransfected B16 melanoma cells decreased signicantly. The infiltration of inflammatory cells into the tumor mass formed by MIP1α genetransfected B16 cells were much more obvious than that by wildtype B16 cells or B16 cells transfected with the control gene. However, the survival time of the mice bearing B16 melanoma cells transfected with MIP1α gene was not prolonged and the NK, CTL activity remianed unchanged. We suggested that the in vivo phenomenon may be related to the high toxicity of the MIP1 α as a strong nonspecific inflammatory mediator.
基金supported by the Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft,“Zukunft-sthema”Immunology and inflammation”(ZT-0027)supported by the Pertermax-Müller-Stiftung and the Niedersachsen Research Network on Neuroinfectiology(N-RENNT)of the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony
文摘Multiple sclerosis （MS） is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder that is thought to be mediated by autoreactive T lymphocytes that find their way into the central nervous system （CNS）. The pathological mechanism of MS is still being elucidated but it involves complex interactions between infiltrating immune cells and resi- dent glial cells within the CNS that culminate into strong neuroinflammation and axonal damage.
文摘The elimination of the tumor is closely relatedwith the sensitivity of tumor cells to the cytotoxicityof immune effector cells. We supposed that cytokinegenetransfection may increase the cytotoxicitysusceptibility of tumor cells to effector cells, and as aconsequence, the tumorigenicity decreased. Beforekilling tumor cells, effector cells required first torecognize non-specific surface adhesion molecules
