RUI: The role of Ralstonia solanacearum effector protein Rsp1281 in bacterial wilt disease

青枯病是世界范围内最具破坏性的植物细菌性病害之一，影响着数百种植物，包括番茄和马铃薯等许多主要作物。青枯病病原菌青枯病是一种侵袭根部的维管病原体，它利用一种特殊的分泌系统将一系列“效应器”蛋白质直接输送到植物细胞中。效应器蛋白被认为通过干扰植物防御而促进疾病。本项目将确定一个保守的效应子Rsp1281/POPS的植物靶标，它存在于大多数青枯病菌物种中，在植物维管束中高度表达，是在几个植物寄主上完全致病所必需的。研究人员将使用生化、显微和基因组方法来识别这种效应器所针对的植物蛋白质、细胞器和途径。鉴定侵根病原菌的效应靶标可能产生有关植物根部防御途径的新信息，并可用于培育抗枯萎病作物。此外，该项目的大部分工作涉及学生研究，将研究与教育相结合。共有大约100名学生将参与这一项目，获得在其他STEM课程、研究生院和作为未来科学家的成功将是重要的知识和技能。

Bacterial wilt is one of the most devastating bacterial diseases of plants worldwide, affecting hundreds of plant species including many major crops such as tomato and potato. The bacterial wilt pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum, is a root-invading, vascular pathogen that employs a specialized secretion system to deliver a collection of "effector" proteins directly into plant cells. Effector proteins are thought to promote disease by interfering with plant defenses. This project will identify plant targets of a conserved effector, Rsp1281/PopS, which is present in most R. solanacearum species, is highly expressed within the plant vasculature and is required for full virulence on several plant hosts. The investigators will use biochemical, microscopic and genomic approaches to identify plant proteins, organelles and pathways that are targeted by this effector. The identification of effector targets of a root-invading pathogen may yield new information about plant defense pathways employed in roots and can be useful for developing wilt resistant crops. Additionally, the majority of the work in this project involves student research, integrating research and education. A total of approximately 100 students will participate in this project, acquiring knowledge and skills that will be important in other STEM courses, in graduate school and for success as future scientists.