TheVerticillium longisporumphospholipase VlsPLA2is a virulence factor targets host nuclei and modulates plant immunity

Phospholipases A 2 (PLA 2 ) are lipolytic enzymes, responsible for phospholipids hydrolysis. The role of PLA 2 in various aspects of cell physiology has been shown, but their involvement in host-microbe interactions remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated the biological function of the secreted VIsPLA 2 phospholipase in the phytopathogenic fungus Verticillium longisporum with emphasis on its role in host-microbe interactions. The VlsPLA 2 was highly induced in V. longisporum during interaction with host plant Brassica napus , encoding an active phospholipase A 2 . VlsPLA 2 -overexpression V. longisporum strain showed an increased virulence on Arabidopsis plants, plausibly by inducing virulence factors. Furthermore, VIsPLA 2 are transported to the nucleus, by hijacking VAMPA proteins, causing suppression of PTI-induced hypersensitive response, possibly by modulating the expression of genes involved in plant immunity. In summary, VlsPLA 2 acts as a virulence factor by hydrolyzing the hosts nuclear envelope phospholipids, an action that induces signaling cascade, suppressing basal plant immunity responses.