Post-translational cleavage and self-interaction of the phytoplasma effector SAP11.
Phytoplasmas are insect-transmitted intracellular plant bacterial pathogens that secrete effector molecules into host cells that interfere with the host's developmental or metabolic processes. Recently, the secreted Aster Yellows phytoplasma strain Witches' Broom protein11 (SAP11) has been shown to act as a virulence factor that alters the development, hormone biosynthesis, phosphate (Pi) homeostasis, and defense responses in the affected plants. We found that SAP11 undergoes proteolytic processing in planta and self-interaction in vitro. These biochemical studies provide foundational insights necessary for the functional characterization of SAP11; however, the biological relevance of post-translational cleavage and self-interaction of SAP11 to its role as a virulence factor warrants further investigation.
Institute of Biochemistry; National Chung Hsing University; Taichung, Taiwan; PhD Program in Microbial Genomics; National Chung Hsing University; Taichung, Taiwan.
Yen-Ting
YT
Lu
Institute of Biochemistry; National Chung Hsing University; Taichung, Taiwan.
Kai-Tan
KT
Cheng
Institute of Biochemistry; National Chung Hsing University; Taichung, Taiwan.
Shin-Ying
SY
Jiang
Institute of Biochemistry; National Chung Hsing University; Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Biotechnology; National Chung Hsing University; Taichung, Taiwan; NCHU-UCD Plant and Food Biotechnology Center; National Chung Hsing University; Taichung, Taiwan; Agricultural Biotechnology Center; National Chung Hsing University; Taichung, Taiwan.
Jun-Yi
JY
Yang
Arabidopsis; Effector; Phytoplasma; Post-translational modification; SAP11