TheVerticillium longisporumphospholipase VlsPLA2is a virulence factor targets host nuclei and modulates plant immunity

Abstract

AbstractPhospholipases A2(PLA2) are lipolytic enzymes, responsible for phospholipids hydrolysis. The role of PLA2in various aspects of cell physiology has been shown, but their involvement in host-microbe interactions remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated the biological function of the secreted VIsPLA2phospholipase in the phytopathogenic fungusVerticillium longisporumwith emphasis on its role in host-microbe interactions. TheVlsPLA2was highly induced inV. longisporumduring interaction with host plantBrassica napus, encoding an active phospholipase A2. VlsPLA2-overexpressionV. longisporumstrain showed an increased virulence onArabidopsisplants, plausibly by inducing virulence factors. Furthermore, VIsPLA2are transported to the nucleus, by hijacking VAMPA proteins, causing suppression of PTI-induced hypersensitive response, possibly by modulating the expression of genes involved in plant immunity. In summary, VlsPLA2acts as a virulence factor by hydrolyzing the hosts nuclear envelope phospholipids, an action that induces signaling cascade, suppressing basal plant immunity responses.