A Ralstonia solanacearum effector targets splicing factor SR34a to reprograms alternative splicing and suppress host immunity
This study investigates the regulatory effects of Type III secretion system effectors from Ralstonia solanacearum strain GMI1000 on alternative splicing (AS) in tomato plants. Through RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses, the splicing regulatory functions of these effectors were validated. The study identifies the effector RipP2 as a modulator of AS levels by interacting with the tomato splicing factor SR34a and acetylating a key lysine residue, thereby influencing the alternative splicing patterns of defense-related genes and modulating plant immune responses. These findings elucidate the mechanisms by which pathogens exploit effector proteins to interfere with host gene expression, providing new insights into plant immunity.