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Poster

Session: Session 2 Presenting Authors at Posters (Odds)

P-149 - Seeing red: An essential Phytophthora infestans effector targets Phytochrome B

Wednesday, July 16, 2025
13:30 - 15:15  
Location: Confex Hall 3
Effector Interference Mechanisms

    Presenting Author(s)

  • DM

    David C. McLean (he/him/his)

    PhD candidate
    University of Dundee
    Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom

    • Author(s)

  • HM

    Hazel McLellan, PhD

    University of Dundee
    Invergowrie, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • SF

    Stuart R. Fisher

    Post-Doctoral Research Associate
    University of Dundee
    Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • LW

    Lydia Welsh

    Laboratory Technician
    James Hutton institute
    Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • EG

    Eleanor Gilroy

    Commercialisation and Licensing Manager
    James Hutton Institute Scientific Services
    Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • SW

    Stephen C. Whisson

    Principle Investigator
    James Hutton institute
    Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • PB

    Paul R.J. Birch

    University of Dundee
    Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • IH

    Ingo Hein

    Professor
    University of Dundee
    Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom

Plants use photoreceptors to detect the wavelengths, irradiance, photoperiod and direction of light - driving adaptive change of plant physiology. With the development of modern farming technologies, light wavelength is becoming a key parameter to optimise for increased crop yield. However, during infection of potato by the devastating late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans, several canonical RXLR effector proteins target light-signalling components to promote virulence. Here, we have shown that one such RXLR effector – Pi06099 – targets the red-light photoreceptor Phytochrome B. This study aims to further investigate the structural details of this interaction to identify potential points of intervention. We employed yeast-2-hybrid (Y2H) and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) methods to determine protein-protein interactions; alongside RNA interference (RNAi), and Host Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) infection assays. Our results demonstrate that Pi06099 interacts with Phytochrome B, and that stable silencing of Pi06099 significantly reduces infection. Using spacer replacement mutants and truncated effector forms, we have identified key residues which mediate this interaction. I will report the functional significance of these interactions in the context of how the effector is suppressing immunity. Using this information, structural models and empirical testing, we aim to break this interaction, providing a novel strategy for disease control.