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Concurrent Session

Session: Concurrent Session: Emerging and re-emerging pathosystems

Manipulation of pea defense by an aphid salivary protein

Thursday, July 17, 2025
11:10 - 11:30  
Location: Room M+N

Abstract Text:

Pea (Pisum sativum) is an important crop in Europe but is susceptible to various pests, including the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum). Aphids are sap-feeding insect pests that deplete plant nutrients and transmit plant-pathogenic viruses. While feeding on host plants, aphids secrete saliva containing multiple proteins, some of which have been shown to interact with host plant proteins and function similarly to the effectors of microbial pathogens. To better understand the interaction between pea and the pea aphid, we analyzed pea responses to the aphid infestation and characterized aphid salivary effectors. Our results provided no clear evidence that pea induced hormonal responses to aphid infestation. In addition, the expression of many genes was suppressed in the early stages of the interaction, and a smaller number of genes were induced. A screening of salivary effector candidates identified a protein named Ap4, whose expression in pea leaves increased pea aphid fecundity. Ap4 was unique to aphid species and physically interacted with the pea proteins PsBPL1 and PsBPL2 in both yeast and plant systems. The significance of these protein interactions in the aphid-plant interactions will be discussed.