Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)

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MPMI, a gold open access journal published by The American Phytopathological Society, features research on plant interactions with microbes, insects, nematodes, and parasitic plants.

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Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· 2d

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying potato mop-top virus (PMTV)–host interactions, Shweta Roy et al. conducted comprehensive RNA-seq analysis comparing wild-type PMTV with a mutant lacking the 8K gene (PMTV-Δ8K) in #Nicotiana benthamiana: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-10-25-0146-R

Fig. 1. Appearance of viral symptoms and relative virus accumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana plants used for transcriptome analysis. A, Typical yellow mosaic symptoms of potato mop-top virus (PMTV) and its mutant lacking the 8K gene at 14 days postinoculation (dpi) compared with healthy plant (mock). B, Relative fold accumulation of PMTV RNAs normalized to the expression of NbPP2A. The error bars represent the standard deviation. The differences in viral RNA accumulation are not significant: P > 0.05; Student's two-tailed t test.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· 5d

Eva C. Henningsen et al. generated nuclear haplotype-resolved genomes for 10 #Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae isolates from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and compared them with existing references for U.S. and Australian isolates: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-08-25-0111-R

Fig. 2. Relationships between Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae (Pca) haplotypes.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· 8d

“Rpp2 Encodes a TIR-NBS-WH-LRR Protein that Confers Resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi in Soybean,” by Katerina L. Holan et al. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-02-26-0013-R #soybean #soybeanrust #Phakopsora #diseaseresistance

Fig. 3. Silencing Rpp2 candidate genes in PI 230970 results in loss of resistance. Fourteen-day-old PI 230970 plants were subjected to one of four virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) pretreatments: inoculation with BPMV:Rpp2C1_Wms82, BPMV:Rpp2C6_Wms82, BPMV:Rpp2C11_Wms82, or BPMV:Empty-vector. Three weeks after silencing, plants were inoculated with Phakopsora pachyrhizi isolate LA04-1, and plants were phenotyped 2 weeks later. A to F, Silencing by all three Rpp2C constructs resulted in loss of resistance to P. pachyrhizi, with plants exhibiting TAN lesions and sporulating uredinia on both the abaxial and adaxial surface of the leaf. G and H, Empty-vector control plants were resistant, developing red-brown lesions and occasional uredinia as expected. Scale bar = 0.5 cm.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· 13d

Asher I. Hudson, Maggie R. Wagner, and Peter J. Balint-Kurti investigated the production of reactive oxygen species following treatment with microbial elicitors in maize hybrids and their inbred parents: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-08-25-0100-SC

Fig. 1. Reactive oxygen species production measured with an L-012-based assay in relative luminescence units (RLU) following elicitation with flg22. The top and bottom panels show the results of assays begun at two different time points, either 1 or 3 h after dawn. Points are means from eight biological replicates, and bars represent standard error. The experiment was repeated twice with similar results. Note the difference in magnitude on the vertical axis between time points.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· 16d

Huan Zhang et al. identified an Fov4-specific nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene, FNP1, and uncovered a previously unknown role in controlling fusaric acid production, environmental stress adaptation, and virulence in Fov4: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-01-26-0004-R

Fig. 6. Infection of cotton roots by green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged strains tubulin-GFP-wild type (WT) and tubulin-GFP-Δfnp1 at 3 and 6 days postinoculation (dpi).

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· 19d

Anastasios Samaras et al. characterized the functional role of a novel effector—Mo2928Fm—in the infection biology of a highly virulent #Magnaporthe oryzae strain isolated from finger millet in Uganda. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-02-26-0019-SC

Fig. 1. The Mo2928Fm effector contributes to Magnaporthe oryzae virulence.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· 22d

Interactions Review: "Current Understanding of the Genetic and Molecular Interactions Between the Tar Spot Pathogen Phyllachora maydis and Maize," by Abigail Rogers et al. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-01-26-0009-IRW

Fig. 1. Tar spot disease in maize. Tar spot infection in A, an Indiana corn field; B, a corn ear; and C, a leaf section. D, Light microscopy image of a section of the stroma boxed in C, showing different cellular structures of the tar spot infection in maize leaf cells (see text for details). The section was stained with toluidine blue. Scale bar is 100 µM.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· 27d

Editor’s Pick: “Transcriptional Regulation of Protein Trafficking Machinery in the Legume–Rhizobia Symbiosis,” by Christina Stonoha-Arther, Julie Sun, and Dong Wang. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-07-25-0092-R

Fig. 1. DNF1 and DNF1L are paralogs in Medicago truncatula. A, Nodules on Jemalong wild-type hairy roots transformed with empty vector.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· 29d

Editor’s Pick: Yi Zhang et al. demonstrate that the #Arabidopsis ubiquitin ligase (E3) XBAT35.2 positively regulates FLS2-mediated PTI by modulating FLS2 protein stability. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-02-26-0015-R

Fig. 3. XBAT35.2 is localized to the plasma membrane (PM) and Golgi apparatus. Subcellular localization of XBAT35.2 in Arabidopsis leaf protoplasts. The YFP signals are pseudo-colored in red, whereas CFP signals are pseudo-colored in green. PIP2A-CFP and Man49-CFP are PM and Golgi apparatus-specific markers, respectively (Nelson et al. 2007). White bar, 20 micrometers (μm). Experiments were repeated three times with similar results.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Jul 2

Ludivine Guigard et al. evaluated the rice transcriptional response to a diversity of bacteria spanning from root pathogens to plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in hydroponic conditions. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-09-25-0129-FI

Fig. 2.
Microscopic observations of each bacterial pattern of colonization. Rice roots at 7 days postinoculation colonized by fluorescent strains of A, Escherichia coli DH5α; B, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ABIP44; C, Pseudomonas defensor WCS374r; D, Bradyrhizobium sp. ORS278; E, Azospirillum sp. B510; and F, Burkholderia plantarii ATCC 43733. Each colored dot (in bright red for A, B, C, and F; in bright green for D and E) is a bacterium colonizing the root (lighter red and lighter green for each panel).

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Jun 30

Parijat S. Juvale et al. report that a novel #Arabidopsis thaliana kinase cascade shows telltale similarities to the kinase cascades of oxidative stress response kinases from humans and animals. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-11-25-0159-FI

Fig. 1.
Characterizing the Hs28B03-interacting protein kinase AtOSRK1.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Jun 25

Hiroshi Yoshida et al. established a copper-inducible gene expression system for tomato hairy roots that enables precise, on-demand activation of immune signaling in the root tissue: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-11-25-0160-FI

Fig. 4.
On-demand gene expression system enables localization analyses of immune molecules in their active forms. For subcellular localization analysis, hairy root transformation in Solanum lycopersicum was performed using the all-in-one vector system encoding GUS-EGFP, NRC4DV-EGFP, NRC4WT-EGFP, or Gpa2NB-EGFP under the CBS4-miniDFR promoters. Transgenic roots were vacuum-infiltrated in copper or mock solution and then placed on copper or mock plates. Confocal micrographs were acquired at 1 day after treatment. Images are representative of three independent experiments, and the experiments were repeated with similar results. A and B, EGFP fluorescence (left), mCherry fluorescence (middle), and overlay (right, EGFP in green and mCherry in magenta) are shown. Scale bar = 30 μm. Yellow arrowheads indicate particular cells.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Jun 22

Kipa Tamrakar et al. elucidated the role of #rhizosphere microbial composition and activity, both in the presence and absence of #Fusarium virguliforme, across two commercial soybean cultivars with differing susceptibility to SDS: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-09-25-0121-FI

Fig. 1.
Comprehensive overview of the experimental design for rhizosphere microbiome profiling in sudden death syndrome (SDS)-tolerant (Tol) and SDS-susceptible (Sus) plants.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Jun 19

Esmaeil Miraeiz, Lucas Borges dos Santos, and Matthew E. Hudson highlight how integrative functional genomics is reshaping the discovery of resistance genes, clarifying soybean cyst nematode virulence strategies, & guiding the development of more durable management approaches: https://bit.ly/4u9fiVb

Fig. 1.
Life cycle of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and major plant resistance responses. A and B, The SCN life cycle, from eggs in the soil through root invasion, feeding site establishment, and maturation into adult females and cysts. C, The key, validated cellular processes associated with the Rhg1- and Rhg4-mediated resistance pathways, which act at the syncytium to limit nematode establishment and development.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Jun 16

#Agroathelia rolfsii causes stem rot in multiple crops. Naveen Arakkal Thaiparambil et al. demonstrated the multifaceted potential of #Trichoderma virens DM5 as an effective and sustainable agent for managing tomato southern blight caused by A. rolfsii. https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-07-25-0075-FI

Fig. 1.
Dual culture plates of Trichoderma virens DM5 versus Agroathelia rolfsii. T. virens DM5 grew directionally toward A. rolfsii and established physical contact, resulting in the suppression of A. rolfsii growth.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Jun 11

Review: "Unseen Struggles: How Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Manipulate ROS Signaling in Host Plants," by Anil Kumar, Chunoti Changwal, and Thomas J. Baum: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-11-25-0161-FI

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Jun 8

Findings from Komal Pervaiz et al. provide new molecular insights into how #Magnaporthe oryzae responds to antagonistic barley-associated bacteria under in vitro conditions: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-11-25-0158-FI

Fig. 1.
Confrontation assay between Magnaporthe oryzae and bacterial isolates.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Jun 3

Csaba Gellért et al. highlight how legumes employ elements of their immune system for the negative selection of rhizobia via processes resembling the gene-for-gene model of effector-triggered immunity in plant–pathogen interactions. Read the Interactions Review to learn more: https://bit.ly/49LmYo9

Fig. 1.
Concept of partner selection in symbiosis.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· May 29

Pei-Cheng Huang et al. identified a novel rhizobacterium with a broad host range that promotes growth and systemic resistance across multiple plant species in a jasmonic acid-dependent, ketol-driven manner. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-10-25-0142-FI

Fig. 1.
RcP500 is an abundant root-associated beneficial bacterium in switchgrass that elicits induced systemic resistance (ISR) against Bipolaris leaf spot in its host plants. A, Log2-transformed relative abundance of the core root microbiome of switchgrass. The relative abundance of ASV1 (from Edwards et al. 2023) with a 100% sequence identity match to RcP500 is indicated by the red arrow in the figure. B, Growth promotion effect of RcP500 on switchgrass (n ≥ 6) and Panicum hallii (n ≥ 14). C, Disease symptoms and lesion areas of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; mock-treated control)- or RcP500-treated switchgrass (n ≥ 12) and P. hallii (n ≥ 24) after inoculation with Bipolaris oryzae, the causal agent of Bipolaris leaf spot (BLS). Bars are mean ± SEM. Asterisks represent statistically significant differences between treatments (two-tailed t test, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ****P < 0.0001).

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· May 26

The root-lesion nematode #Pratylenchus vulnus parasitizes a wide range of hosts, including woody perennials such as walnut and grapevine, significantly damaging roots and reducing yields. Dadong Dai et al. present a high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly of P. vulnus: https://bit.ly/4u48AiZ

Fig. 1.
Overview of the Pratylenchus vulnus genome.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· May 21

Interactions between plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) and other phytopathogens can lead to disease complexes. Alison Blundell et al. discuss specific aspects of PPN life cycles that may facilitate disease complex formation: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-10-25-0154-FI

Fig. 1.
Aboveground symptoms of root-knot nematode (RKN)–Fusarium complex on tomato. Processing tomato field infected with both RKN and Fusarium spp. in Yolo County, California, 2024. Accumulation of pathogens throughout the growing season has resulted in severe disease and death of the plants. Enhanced disease symptoms correlate with RKN-infected plants. This can be seen in the patchiness within the rows of the field.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· May 13

Using whole-genome resequencing data from 1,110 soybean accessions, Sushil Satish Chhapekar et al. identified novel allelic variation and unique haplotypes in diverse soybean germplasm that contribute to resistance against soybean cyst nematode: https://bit.ly/4eEqF2q

Fig. 2.
Evaluation of soybean cyst nematode (SCN, HG type 0; race 3) infestation in roots of susceptible control (PI 548313) and resistant lines (PI 522226, PI 522228, and PI 602492) after 5 days of infection. For each genotype, the left panel shows root 30 days postinfection, and the right panel displays acid fuchsin-stained roots at 5 days postinfection highlighting nematode presence. For PI 548313, the zoomed images show the development of cysts on roots.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· May 4

NEW: Explore the latest MPMI focus issue, "Symbiotic and Pathogenic Interactions in the Rhizosphere": https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/toc/mpmi/39/2 #rhizosphere

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Apr 21

Plant resistance (R) and pathogen avirulence (Avr) gene interaction are central to pathogen recognition and disease resistance. Eric C. Pereira et al. identiﬁed an Avr candidate, AvrPstB48, that triggered defense responses in 16 out of 24 cultivars tested: https://bit.ly/4bu7o0u

Fig. 6.
The susceptible wheat cultivar Avocet S displays a delayed infection time course to Pst104E137A- when compared with Morocco. A, Leaf phenotypes at 8 and 10 days postinfection (dpi). B. Representative confocal micrographs showing the extent of infection inside the leaves at 8 and 10 dpi. Magenta corresponds to propidium iodide-stained cell walls and green to fungal structures stained with wheat germ agglutinin. Bars = 200 µm. C, Representative confocal micrographs showing callose deposition (cyan) associated with infectious hyphae (magenta). Bars = 25 µm. D, Infection progression and E, callose deposition over time in infected leaves. Asterisks denote significant differences according to Welch's t test at **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Apr 16

#Elsinoë arachidis is a major foliar pathogen responsible for peanut scab. Jingwen Hao et al. provided insights into the molecular mechanism that governs ESCB3-mediated virulence and elsinochrome production in E. arachidis and offers potential targets for control strategies: https://bit.ly/4sjCPll

Fig. 8.
ESCB3 affects the virulence of Elsinoë arachidis. A, Pathogenicity of ΔESCB3 on peanut leaves. Top: Mycelial suspension inoculation. Bottom: Extract from elsinochrome (ESC) inoculation. B, Quantification of the infection area. ImageJ was used to measure the infection area. Error bars represent standard deviations from three biological replicates. Asterisks (*) indicate a significant difference between the wild-type (WT) and ΔESCB3 strains (P < 0.05). *, P < 0.05.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Apr 14

Elizabeth Deyett et al. demonstrated that pretreatment with two bacterial isolates from the grapevine endosphere, Pseudomonas viridiflava and Achromobacter vitis, reduced symptoms of Pierce’s disease and Xylella fastidosa titer comparable to a known biocontrol agent: https://bit.ly/4lzLqxH

Fig. 8.
Working model of Pierce's disease (PD) susceptibility/resistance related to timing of tylose development.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Apr 9

Previous studies have provided a broader view of #Bacillus cereus AR156 control of tomato bacterial wilt. Zi-Jie Li et al. explored key WRKY transcription factors from transcriptional regulation perspective and provide a theoretical foundation for the biocontrol of diseases: https://bit.ly/47Rzbqq

Fig. 7.
A model of how WRKY4 regulates SSL3 to participate in resistance against tomato bacterial wilt induced by Bacillus cereus AR156. The colonization of AR156 at the roots induces systemic resistance in tomato plants. During this process, the WRKY4 transcription factor acts as a negative regulator and is downregulated. The suppression of SSL3 by WRKY4 is alleviated, allowing SSL3 to modulate downstream metabolic pathways, thereby enhancing resistance against tomato bacterial wilt.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Apr 7

A recent study by Durga Bhavani KB et al. identified key players in diffusible signal factor (DSF)-mediated immune response and elaborated on the downstream events of DSF recognition as a pathogen-associated molecular patterns: https://bit.ly/4bgxzJd

Fig. 5.
A proposed working model of diffusible signal factor (DSF)-induced immune responses in Arabidopsis. DSF is perceived through a hitherto unknown receptor that activates MAP kinases and downstream genes, including defense marker genes, which ultimately results in callose deposition and resistance to bacterial infection. Plant functions working upstream of MAP kinase activation and activation of defense genes are still elusive.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Apr 2

Darcy A. B. Jones and Sylvain Raffaele identified 215 effector-like proteins and refined our understating of effector diversity and organization in#Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Read the article to learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-08-25-0101-R

Fig. 1.
The structural landscape of the Sclerotinia sclerotiorum effectome.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (MPMI)@mpmijournal· Mar 31

Harringtonia lauricola causes a lethal disease called laurel wilt and threatens both native ecosystems and avocado production. Joshua L. Konkol, Qiang Wang, and Jeffrey A. Rollins identified key compatibility traits that enable H. lauricola to lethally colonize its tree hosts: https://bit.ly/3Nu5tRw