A bacterial acetyltransferase destroys plant microtubule networks and blocks secretion.
The eukaryotic cytoskeleton is essential for structural support and intracellular transport, and is therefore a common target of animal pathogens. However, no phytopathogenic effector has yet been demonstrated to specifically target the plant cytoskeleton. Here we show that the Pseudomonas syringae type III secreted effector HopZ1a interacts with tubulin and polymerized microtubules. We demonstrate that HopZ1a is an acetyltransferase activated by the eukaryotic co-factor phytic acid. Activated HopZ1a acetylates itself and tubulin. The conserved autoacetylation site of the YopJ / HopZ superfamily, K289, plays a critical role in both the avirulence and virulence function of HopZ1a. Furthermore, HopZ1a requires its acetyltransferase activity to cause a dramatic decrease in Arabidopsis thaliana microtubule networks, disrupt the plant secretory pathway and suppress cell wall-mediated defense. Together, this study supports the hypothesis that HopZ1a promotes virulence through cytoskeletal and secretory disruption.
Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Amy Huei-Yi
AH
Lee
Brenden
B
Hurley
Corinna
C
Felsensteiner
Carmen
C
Yea
Wenzislava
W
Ckurshumova
Verena
V
Bartetzko
Pauline W
PW
Wang
Van
V
Quach
Jennifer D
JD
Lewis
Yulu C
YC
Liu
Frederik
F
Börnke
Stephane
S
Angers
Andrew
A
Wilde
David S
DS
Guttman
Darrell
D
Desveaux
D000107:Acetylation; D000123:Acetyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D044224:Pseudomonas syringae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; D010833:Phytic Acid; D000123:Acetyltransferases