Unraveling Microbial Strategies: Targeting the Plant Ubiquitin - Proteasome Pathway
C. Shanmugaraj *
ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, 110 012, India.
R. Gangaraj
ICAR – Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Regional Research Station, Sargatia, Kushinagar, 274 406, India.
M.K. Biswas
Palli Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal, 731 235, India.
V. Jaiganesh
TNAU – Citrus Research Station (CRS), Vannikonenthal, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, 627 951, India.
H.M. Akshay Kumar
ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Assam, 787 035, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS) stands as a central regulator in the intricate web of plant immune responses, orchestrating the turnover of key immune components. Through the UPS, plants finely tune their defenses, from the initial recognition of pathogens to the activation of defense strategies. Immune receptors, signaling components associated with defense hormones, and transcription factors are among the targets modulated by the UPS, shaping both PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). However, pathogens have evolved sophisticated strategies to manipulate the UPS for their benefit. Fungi, bacteria, and viruses deploy effector proteins to exploit the UPS, either by promoting the degradation of host defense elements or by interfering with UPS-mediated processes. This intricate interplay underscores the pivotal role of the UPS in plant-pathogen dynamics, presenting both challenges and opportunities for understanding and manipulating plant immunity. Unraveling the complexities of UPS regulation and pathogen exploitation thereof is crucial for advancing our knowledge of plant-microbe interactions and developing strategies for sustainable disease management in agriculture.
Keywords: Pathogen, effector, regulation, ubiquitination, immunity