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Molecular Mechanisms of Interactions Between Pathogenic Fungi and Host Plants
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Molecular Mechanisms of Interactions Between Pathogenic Fungi and Host Plants

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 4803

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ya Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
Interests: interaction between rice blast fungus and rice; pathogenesis of rice blast fungus; rice blast resistance
Dr. Jiexiong Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Interests: effector; magnaporthe oryzae–rice interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant diseases caused by pathogenic fungi pose devastating threats to global crop production and food security. Current management strategies, such as deploying resistant cultivars or chemical treatments, often provide only short-term control due to the rapid evolution of pathogens and the complexity of agricultural ecosystems.

Understanding the molecular interaction mechanisms between pathogenic fungi and their host plants is essential for developing sustainable control strategies and identifying novel targets for pesticide development. This Special Issue of Plants will highlight advances in fungal effector biology, host immune evasion tactics, and plant defense responses across various plant–fungus pathosystems.

Dr. Ya Li
Dr. Jiexiong Hu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • plant fungal diseases
  • pathogenic fungi
  • fungal effector
  • host resistance
  • plant immunity
  • plant–pathogen interactions

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4309 KB  
Article
Jacalin-Related Lectin OsJacLK1 Positively Regulates Resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae in Rice
by Bingwei Chen, Ruixue Li, Meiling Lai, Haoming Li, Zhongyuan Lin, Sarah Violet Michael, Wenbo Zhu, Jianbo Huang, Songbiao Chen and Yijuan Han
Plants 2026, 15(9), 1376; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15091376 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 294
Abstract
Jacalin-related lectins play crucial roles in plant adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses. The rice genome encodes four putative jacalin-related lectin kinase genes (OsJacLKs), but their functions toward environmental stresses remain largely uncharacterized. This study demonstrates that a putative jacalin-related lectin [...] Read more.
Jacalin-related lectins play crucial roles in plant adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses. The rice genome encodes four putative jacalin-related lectin kinase genes (OsJacLKs), but their functions toward environmental stresses remain largely uncharacterized. This study demonstrates that a putative jacalin-related lectin kinase, OsJacLK1, conferred resistance to the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae rather than salt stress. OsJacLK1 protein exhibited agglutination activities and affinity toward chitin, fungal cell wall, and mannose. OsJacLK1 was transcriptionally activated by stress-related phytohormones salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), abscisic acid (ABA), and indoleacetic acid (IAA), as well as salinity, chitin, and M. oryzae inoculation, suggesting its involvement in broad stress-responsive signaling pathways. Overexpression of OsJacLK1 in rice led to reduced susceptibility to rice blast disease, whereas loss-of-function osjaclk1 lines showed no significant phenotypic difference from wild-type plants upon infection. Enhanced resistance in OsJacLK1-overexpressing lines was associated with a stronger reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst and elevated hydrogen peroxide accumulation, accompanied by the up-regulation of defense-related genes (OsRac1, OsSGT1, OsMAPK6, OsPAL1, OsNAC4, OsPBZ1, OsAOS2, and OsJAZ8). Collectively, our findings establish that OsJacLK1 acts as a positive regulator of rice immunity against M. oryzae, modulating the cellular redox state, highlighting its potential as a candidate for genetic improvement of disease resistance in rice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Interactions Between Pathogenic Fungi and Host Plants)
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21 pages, 17066 KB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification of CFEM Proteins in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Reveals Effector Candidates with Cell Death Suppression Activity
by Xihong Li, Yuting Wu, Linxuan Liu, Shuang Liu, Dan Zhang, Xianfeng Yi, Lele Wang, Shan Liu, Rongchao Jia, Jinpeng Shi, Stefan Olsson, Congcong Lu, Airong Wang and Ya Li
Plants 2026, 15(6), 957; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15060957 - 20 Mar 2026
Viewed by 585
Abstract
The CFEM (Common in Fungal Extracellular Membrane) domain defines a family of cysteine-rich proteins unique to fungi, playing pivotal roles in host–pathogen interactions. However, the repertoire and functions of CFEM proteins in the broad-host-range necrotrophic pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum remain largely unexplored. Through genome-wide [...] Read more.
The CFEM (Common in Fungal Extracellular Membrane) domain defines a family of cysteine-rich proteins unique to fungi, playing pivotal roles in host–pathogen interactions. However, the repertoire and functions of CFEM proteins in the broad-host-range necrotrophic pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum remain largely unexplored. Through genome-wide bioinformatic analysis, we identified 13 CFEM-containing proteins (SsCFEM1–13) in S. sclerotiorum. Characterization revealed substantial diversity in their physicochemical properties, domain architecture, and predicted subcellular localization. Ten proteins possess a secretion signal, with six predicted to be GPI-anchored and three classified as high-confidence effectors. Members lacking transmembrane domains were predicted to adopt the conserved CFEM “helical-basket” fold. Phylogenetic analysis grouped SsCFEMs into two distinct clades and indicated a complex evolutionary history involving both conserved ancestry and lineage-specific expansion. Transcriptomic profiling showed that most genes were upregulated during early infection of various host plants, with SsCFEM8 exhibiting particularly strong and consistent induction. Crucially, transient expression assays in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that several SsCFEM proteins, notably SsCFEM4 and SsCFEM9, function as cell death suppressors, validating their predicted effector roles and identifying key virulence candidates. This study provides the first comprehensive catalog and functional prediction of the CFEM protein family in S. sclerotiorum, establishing a foundation for future mechanistic studies on their roles in the pathogenesis of this devastating fungal pathogen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Interactions Between Pathogenic Fungi and Host Plants)
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24 pages, 15329 KB  
Article
Antagonistic Mechanisms of Serratia plymuthica MM Against Phytophthora capsici and Its Growth-Promoting Traits
by Litao Wang, Fan Wang, Chenying Wu, Xu Wang, Yuzhuo Li, Jiaxin Zheng, Yidan Liu, Xinyi Yang, Yang Liu, Zhaoyu Li, Zheng Zhang, Yonghong Zhu, Constantine Uwaremwe, Xu Su and Yongqiang Tian
Plants 2026, 15(4), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040586 - 12 Feb 2026
Viewed by 786
Abstract
Phytophthora blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici, an oomycete pathogen belonging to the phylum Oomycota, is a major soil-borne disease that limits the cultivation of pepper (Capsicum annuum). In this study, the bacterium Serratia plymuthica MM was evaluated for both its [...] Read more.
Phytophthora blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici, an oomycete pathogen belonging to the phylum Oomycota, is a major soil-borne disease that limits the cultivation of pepper (Capsicum annuum). In this study, the bacterium Serratia plymuthica MM was evaluated for both its antagonistic ability and plant growth-promoting (PGP) potential. The sterile fermentation filtrate of S. plymuthica MM exhibited strong antifungal activity in vitro, inhibiting the mycelial growth of P. capsici by up to 88.32%. In pot experiments, Serratia plymuthica MM significantly reduced both disease incidence and disease severity of Phytophthora blight in pepper plants, achieving control efficacies of 88.33% (preventive application) and 55.56% (therapeutic application). Microscopic observations revealed severe hyphal abnormalities, including distortion, shrinkage, collapse, and fragmentation. Furthermore, propidium iodide (PI) and DAPI double staining provided cellular-level evidence of antifungal activity, demonstrating concentration-dependent disruption of membrane integrity and nuclear organization in P. capsici hyphae, which was supported by pronounced increases in ion leakage from pathogen cells. Further, S. plymuthica MM exhibited PGP traits, including nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis. Pot experiments using the pepper cultivar ‘Longjiao’ (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Longjiao) confirmed significant growth promotion and enhanced activities of key defense-related enzymes (POD, PPO, PAL, and CAT). Stable colonization of pepper roots was verified by green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeling, demonstrating the strain’s persistence in the rhizosphere. Collectively, these results highlight the dual role of S. plymuthica MM in suppressing P. capsici and promoting pepper growth, supporting its potential as an eco-friendly biocontrol agent for sustainable pepper production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Interactions Between Pathogenic Fungi and Host Plants)
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13 pages, 3019 KB  
Article
Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase 1 Gene Mediates Resistance to Calonectria pseudoreteaudii Crude Toxin in Arabidopsis thaliana and Eucalyptus grandis
by Xiuping Huang, Wenbin Tang, Hongyi Liu and Guo-Dong Lu
Plants 2026, 15(4), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040577 - 12 Feb 2026
Viewed by 524
Abstract
Eucalyptus leaf blight is a globally distributed disease caused by Calonectria fungi, with C. pseudoreteaudii being the dominant pathogen in Fujian, China. The crude toxin produced by C. pseudoreteaudii is a key virulent factor. To investigate the resistance mechanism triggered by crude toxin [...] Read more.
Eucalyptus leaf blight is a globally distributed disease caused by Calonectria fungi, with C. pseudoreteaudii being the dominant pathogen in Fujian, China. The crude toxin produced by C. pseudoreteaudii is a key virulent factor. To investigate the resistance mechanism triggered by crude toxin infection, transcriptome sequencing, physiological observations, and qRT-PCR analyses were conducted. Transcriptome analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana treated with C. pseudoreteaudii crude toxin revealed that a flavin-containing monooxygenase 1 gene (AtFMO1) exhibited the highest differential expression with DMSO control. Compared with Arabidopsis ecotype Col-4 (the wild type, WT), AtFMO1 knockout mutant (Δfmo1) plants displayed dose-dependent leaf margin yellowing accompanied by reduced callose deposition and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation under crude toxin treatment. qRT-PCR analysis of key genes from two immune pathways showed that the salicylic acid-dependent (SA-dependent) pathway was likely Arabidopsis’s primary response pathway for crude toxin. In E. grandis, a total of 38 EgFMOs were identified, with eight EgFMO1s, based on the protein sequence similarity, conserved domain, and motif pattern. qRT-PCR analysis of EgFMO1s revealed two major expression patterns in response to crude toxin treatment: an initial downregulation followed by upregulation, and continuous upregulation. Collectively, these results suggest FMO1 plays a positive role in resistance to C. pseudoreteaudii crude toxin in both A. thaliana and E. grandis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Interactions Between Pathogenic Fungi and Host Plants)
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16 pages, 1551 KB  
Article
Host Response of Winter Wheat to the Causal Agents of Eyespot and Fungicide Resistance of the Pathogens
by Jana Palicová, Pavel Matušinsky, Simona Čejková, Alena Hanzalová, Veronika Dumalasová, Taťána Militká, Dominik Bleša and Jana Chrpová
Plants 2026, 15(2), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15020285 - 17 Jan 2026
Viewed by 574
Abstract
Eyespot is one of the most important fungal diseases of wheat in the Czech Republic. As part of a long-term study (2015–2024), the occurrence, population structure, and pathogenic variability of Oculimacula yallundae and Oculimacula acuformis were investigated. In total, 356 O. yallundae, [...] Read more.
Eyespot is one of the most important fungal diseases of wheat in the Czech Republic. As part of a long-term study (2015–2024), the occurrence, population structure, and pathogenic variability of Oculimacula yallundae and Oculimacula acuformis were investigated. In total, 356 O. yallundae, 24 O. acuformis, and 33 mixed cultures were collected and identified using PCR. The study also included small-plot inoculation trials (2022–2023) to assess the response of widely grown winter wheat cultivars. Disease severity was evaluated visually, pathogen DNA was quantified using qPCR, and the presence of the resistance gene Pch1 was determined with the STS marker Xorw1. In addition to these analyses, monitoring of fungicide resistance to two commonly used fungicides (fluxapyroxad and prothioconazole) was performed. The results showed significant differences among cultivars and seasons. Genotypes carrying Pch1—including Annie, Campesino, Illusion, KWS Donovan, LG Absalon, and Pallas—exhibited the lowest levels of infection, whereas Mercedes and Dagmar were the most susceptible. The qPCR reliably detected and distinguished both pathogens, with O. yallundae occurring at higher concentrations. Fungicide sensitivity testing revealed EC50 values (mean ± SD) of 0.09 ± 0.13 μg·mL−1 for fluxapyroxad and 0.30 ± 0.22 μg·mL−1 for prothioconazole, indicating that eyespot pathogens remain largely sensitive, with only minor signs of reduced sensitivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Interactions Between Pathogenic Fungi and Host Plants)
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21 pages, 3912 KB  
Article
The Global Transcription Factor FvCon7 Plays a Role in the Morphology, FB1 Toxin Production, and Pathogenesis of Fusarium verticillioides
by Gaolong Wen, Xiange Lu, Jiayan Liang, Yi Liu, Xudong Zhang, Guodong Lu, Zonghua Wang and Wenying Yu
Plants 2025, 14(17), 2725; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172725 - 1 Sep 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1223
Abstract
Fusarium verticillioides, an important global pathogenic fungus, compromises crop quality and yield by infecting maize, sugarcane, and some Solanaceae, endangering food security through contaminated grains and cereals with the fumonisin B1 (FB1) toxin. While Con7 has been reported as a transcription factor [...] Read more.
Fusarium verticillioides, an important global pathogenic fungus, compromises crop quality and yield by infecting maize, sugarcane, and some Solanaceae, endangering food security through contaminated grains and cereals with the fumonisin B1 (FB1) toxin. While Con7 has been reported as a transcription factor involved in the sporulation and pathogenicity of some pathogenic fungi, the function of FvCon7 and its regulatory genes in F. verticillioides remains uncharacterized. Gene deletion mutants of ΔFvcon7 were constructed through homologous recombination, which exhibited defects in vegetative growth, survival, sporophore development, conidiation, conidial germination, and carbon metabolism. Carbon metabolism defects led to a significant accumulation of glycogen granules in hypha and lipid bodies in conidia. Additionally, ΔFvcon7 displayed impaired cell wall structure and integrity, along with an altered expression of genes encoding cell wall-degrading enzymes (such as chitinase), as detected by qRT-PCR. Moreover, Fvcon7 also plays a role in the pathogenicity of maize and sugarcane through different splicing, defective conidia, reduced survival viability, differential expression of secreted proteins, and deficiencies in antioxidant stress capacity. Furthermore, using yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assays, FvCon7 was found for the first time to directly regulate the expression of FvFUMs by binding to the CCAAT box within the promoters of six key FvFUMs, thereby affecting FB1 production. Overall, FvCon7 functions as a global transcription factor regulating multiple phenotypes. This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the mechanism of transcription factor FvCon7 regulating toxin production and pathogenesis in F. verticillioides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Interactions Between Pathogenic Fungi and Host Plants)
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