title: Characterization of protein kinase PsSRPKL, a novel pathogenicity factor in the wheat stripe rust fungus.
abstract: As in other eukaryotes, protein kinases (PKs) are generally evolutionarily conserved and play major regulatory roles in plant pathogenic fungi. Many PKs have been proven to be important for pathogenesis in model fungal plant pathogens, but little is currently known about their roles in the pathogenesis of cereal rust fungi, devastating pathogens in agriculture worldwide. Here, we report on an in planta highly induced PK gene PsSRPKL from the wheat stripe rust fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), one of the most important cereal rust fungi. PsSRPKL belongs to a group of PKs that are evolutionarily specific to cereal rust fungi. It shows a high level of intraspecies polymorphism in the kinase domains and directed green fluorescent protein chimers to plant nuclei. Overexpression of PsSRPKL in fission yeast induces aberrant cell morphology and a decreased resistance to environmental stresses. Most importantly, PsSRPKL is proven to be an important pathogenicity factor responsible for fungal growth and responses to environmental stresses, therefore contributing significantly to Pst virulence in wheat. We hypothesize that cereal rust fungi have developed specific PKs as pathogenicity factors for adaptation to their host species during evolution. Thus, our findings provide significant insights into pathogenicity and virulence evolution in cereal rust fungi.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Yulin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Xiaojie
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Juanni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Fachgebiet Phytopathologie, Fakultät Agrarwissenschaften, Institut für Phytomedizin, Universität Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Voegele
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Yanru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Wumei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
authors.forename: Zhensheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000382:microbiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000382:microbiology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D058507:Host Specificity; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014908:Triticum / Q000382:microbiology*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; D011494:Protein Kinases