What the study found
The study found that the stripe rust fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici uses the effector PstCFEM2 to alter wheat apoplastic acidification, which is acidification in the space outside plant cells. The authors report that this manipulation promotes wheat susceptibility by affecting host immunity.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the findings reveal a way pathogens promote infection by subverting host pH regulation. They also say the work provides a theoretical framework for engineering disease resistance through manipulation of susceptibility genes.
What the researchers tested
The researchers studied wheat plasma membrane H+-ATPase TaHA2, a protein that helps regulate apoplastic pH and defense responses, and examined how it is controlled by the wheat kinase TaCIPK9. They also tested the stripe rust effector PstCFEM2 and used overexpression and CRISPR-Cas9 gene inactivation in wheat.
What worked and what didn't
Overexpression of TaHA2 increased apoplastic acidification and Pst susceptibility. In contrast, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated inactivation of TaHA2 conferred broad-spectrum resistance against multiple rust pathogens without compromising agronomic traits. Mechanistically, TaCIPK9 phosphorylated TaHA2 at Ser-933 and this suppressed TaHA2 activity, while PstCFEM2 bound the C-terminus of TaHA2, disrupted TaCIPK9-mediated phosphorylation, and relieved autoinhibition.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe experimental limitations beyond the specific systems tested. The findings are reported in wheat and rust pathogens, so the scope of the summary is limited to those organisms and the mechanisms described.
Key points
- PstCFEM2 was reported to manipulate wheat pH regulation and increase susceptibility to stripe rust.
- TaHA2 was identified as a key regulator of apoplastic pH and defense responses in wheat.
- TaCIPK9 phosphorylated TaHA2 at Ser-933 and suppressed TaHA2 activity.
- PstCFEM2 competitively bound TaHA2 and disrupted TaCIPK9-mediated phosphorylation.
- Removing TaHA2 with CRISPR-Cas9 gave wheat broad-spectrum resistance to multiple rust pathogens without affecting agronomic traits.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- PstCFEM2 promotes wheat susceptibility by altering apoplastic acidification
- Authors:
- Yanqin Zhang, Shuangyuan Guo, Longhui Yu, Yi Lin, Haoshan Liu, Xueling Huang, Chunlei Tang, Xiaojie Wang, Zhensheng Kang, Xinmei Zhang
- Institutions:
- North West Agriculture and Forestry University, North West Agriculture and Forestry University, North West Agriculture and Forestry University, North West Agriculture and Forestry University, North West Agriculture and Forestry University, North West Agriculture and Forestry University, North West Agriculture and Forestry University, North West Agriculture and Forestry University, North West Agriculture and Forestry University, North West Agriculture and Forestry University
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-01
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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