Enzymatic oxidation of galacturonides from pectin breakdown contributes to stealth infection by Oomycota phytopathogens

Simone Turella, Cheng He, Lin Zhao, Sanchari Banerjee, Lauriane Plouhinec, Roseline Assiah Yao, Mette Christine Nørgaard Kejlstrup, Sacha Grisel, Yunjeong So, Bastien Annic, Mathieu Fanuel, Majid Haddad Momeni, Bastien Bissaro, Sebastian Meier, Jens Preben Morth, Suomeng Dong (), Jean-Guy Berrin and Maher Abou Hachem ()
Additional contact information
Simone Turella: Technical University of Denmark
Cheng He: Nanjing Agricultural University
Lin Zhao: Nanjing Agricultural University
Sanchari Banerjee: Technical University of Denmark
Lauriane Plouhinec: UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF)
Roseline Assiah Yao: UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF)
Mette Christine Nørgaard Kejlstrup: Technical University of Denmark
Sacha Grisel: UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF)
Yunjeong So: Technical University of Denmark
Bastien Annic: UR1268 Biopolymères Interactions Assemblages (BIA)
Mathieu Fanuel: UR1268 Biopolymères Interactions Assemblages (BIA)
Majid Haddad Momeni: Technical University of Denmark
Bastien Bissaro: UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF)
Sebastian Meier: Technical University of Denmark
Jens Preben Morth: Technical University of Denmark
Suomeng Dong: Nanjing Agricultural University
Jean-Guy Berrin: UMR 1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques (BBF)
Maher Abou Hachem: Technical University of Denmark

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Phytophthora phytopathogens from Oomycota cause devastating crop losses and threaten food security. However, Phytophthora secreted proteins that interact with plant-hosts remain underexplored. Here, auxiliary activity family 7 (AA7) enzymes from Ascomycota and Oomycota phytopathogens were shown to oxidise pectin-derived galacturonic acid and/or oligogalacturonides (OGs). Unique mono-cysteinyl-FAD oxidases with positively-charged active sites, suited to oxidise OGs, were discovered in Phytophthora sojae. The P. sojae OG oxidase genes, prevalent in this genus, were co-transcribed with pectin-degradation counterparts during early infection of soybean. Single OG oxidase knockouts significantly decreased P. sojae biomass in planta, potentially linking OG oxidases to virulence. We propose that oxidation by AA7 enzymes impairs the elicitor activity of OGs, potentially contributing to stealth Oomycota infection. Oxidation of OGs unravels a previously unknown microbial mechanism that contributes to evade plant immune-response against pathogens. Our findings highlight a unique oxidase architecture and hitherto unexplored targets for bioprotection from major plant pathogens.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58668-8

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