A stripe rust fungus protein weakens wheat immunity by changing cell energy centers through a specific protein interaction

Pst11215 is required for the virulence of the wheat stripe rust pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici.

• Pst11215 interacts with the wheat voltage-dependent anion channel TaVDAC1, which negatively regulates wheat resistance to stripe rust.
• The E3 ubiquitin ligase TaVDIP1 targets and ubiquitinates TaVDAC1, a process that can be enhanced by Pst11215.
• Cooperation between TaVDIP1 and TaVDAC1 increases susceptibility of wheat to Pst.
• Overexpression of TaVDIP1 leads to reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and abnormal mitochondria.
• Pst11215 may facilitate TaVDIP1-mediated ubiquitination of TaVDAC1, compromising wheat resistance by protecting mitochondria from ROS-induced damage.

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