Root‐knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) secrete effectors that suppress plant immunity; however, the mechanisms by which they counteract specific defense enzymes, such as chitinases, remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the Meloidogyne incognita effector Minc10750 directly targets the catalytic domain of plant chitinases (Chi), serving as a critical determinant of virulence. The expression of Minc10750 is upregulated in the subventral esophageal glands during early infection. Its binding to the glycosyl hydrolase 19 domain of chitinases is strictly dependent on effector N‐glycosylation. A mutation at the asparagine glycosylation site (Minc10750‐Mu3) abolishes this modification, impairs its nuclear accumulation, and disrupts the interaction. Mechanistically, Minc10750 promotes the proteasome‐dependent destabilization of Chi proteins, thereby suppressing Chi‐triggered immunity, including mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and reactive oxygen species burst. Consistently, Chi mutants exhibit enhanced susceptibility to nematodes, whereas Chi overexpression confers resistance. Transcriptome analysis further reveals that the Chi‐mediated expression of defense‐related transcription factors is compromised in Minc10750 transgenic plants. Our findings elucidate a mechanism by which a glycosylated nematode effector disables a core component of basal immunity, thereby providing a potential target for the engineering of nematode‐resistant crops.
Rui Liu, D. U. Nilunda Madhusanka, Jingjing Zhou et al.· New Phytologist· 0 citations
Advances in DNA methylation detection technologies have promoted disease-related cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis. CfDNA methylation profiling has the potential to serve as a promising clinical tool for early disease diagnosis. However, current detection technologies suffer from high costs, complex operational procedures, and insufficient sensitivity for low-input samples. Moreover, the definitive validation of its clinical value still awaits robust evidence from high-quality confirmatory studies. Therefore, this review begins by mapping the historical evolution of cfDNA methylation, followed by a comparison of the traditional approaches and recent breakthroughs in cfDNA methylation analysis. Specifically, this review systematically examines the two major strategies: the ones based on bisulfite-dependent DNA modification and the bisulfite-free methods, including the techniques for whole-genome methylation profiling and methods targeting specific genomic regions. Additionally, to evaluate the clinical application potential of these methods, this review comprehensively describes the details of these technologies, such as sample input requirements and sensing accuracy in detecting clinical samples. The future development of cfDNA methylation detection will focus on clinical translation, integrating technical innovations with the demands for efficient clinical diagnosis. We believe this review will help researchers select methods tailored to sample availability and clinical applicability.
Zhenhao Zhang, Luyao Zhu, Yiqian Ren et al.· Talanta: The International J...· 0 citations
