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Potato late blight, caused by the pathogen Phytophthora infestans, remains one of the most devastating plant diseases worldwide. Researchers at the University of Dundee explored how this pathogen uses tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs) to aid in infection.
Extracellular vesicles are small packages released by cells that can carry proteins, genetic material, and other molecules. In the case of P. infestans, the team discovered that these vesicles are loaded with proteins known as RxLR effectors, which help the pathogen suppress the plant’s immune defenses by entering host cells.
Phytophthora infestans secretes extracellular vesicle like particles into growth media
(a) Schematic representation of the ultracentrifugation protocol used for nanoparticle isolation to generate the crude pellet from P. infestans inoculated media. Schematic made in BioRender. (b) Nanoparticle tracking (NTA) data showing the size distribution of particles in the crude nanoparticle pellet from P. infestans-inoculated media and the pellet from uninoculated control media. Results from three independent replicates of each inoculated and uninoculated control are shown in the line graph. (c) Transmission electron microscopy negative stain images showing vesicles present within the nanoparticle crude pellet isolated from P. infestans inoculated media. Top image scale bar represents 0.5 µm. Dashed box represents the location of the higher magnification image below where the scale bar represents 100 nm.
In contrast, proteins not associated with vesicles were more likely to function outside the plant cells, such as modifying the cell wall or acting in the space between cells. Two proteins in particular, PiMDP1 and PiMDP2, stood out as markers linked to these pathogen-derived vesicles. PiMDP2 was especially interesting because it builds up at the haustorial interface, a specialized contact point where the pathogen delivers effectors directly into the plant during infection.
By identifying PiMDP1 and PiMDP2 as molecular markers, scientists now have valuable tools to better study how P. infestans forms and uses extracellular vesicles during infection. This work could eventually help researchers find new ways to protect crops from late blight, safeguarding one of the world’s most important food sources.
