In an era where global food security is a pressing concern, our researchers from Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) School of Biological Sciences (SBS) are making groundbreaking discoveries in plant immunity. Plant diseases caused by pathogens pose a significant threat to global food production. In response, a team led by Assoc. Prof. Miao Yansong and Dr. Zhu Xinlu has uncovered a novel molecular mechanism involving bacterial effectors that manipulate plant immune complexes. This discovery could transform agricultural practices and fortify plant defences against harmful pathogens.
The Discovery: Unmasking How Bacterial Effectors Hijack Molecular “Clumps” to Weaken Plant Immunity
Plants have evolved complex immune systems to protect themselves from microbial threats. However, pathogens often deploy sophisticated molecular strategies, including Type III Effectors (T3Es) — proteins secreted by bacteria to manipulate host cells — to suppress these defences, making crops more susceptible to disease.
Published in Developmental Cell, this study highlights how biomolecular condensates —dynamic molecular assemblies on the plant plasma membrane (PM) — help plants organise immune responses. These condensates act as cellular command centres, bringing together key molecules to regulate immune signalling efficiently.
The research team discovered that some bacterial effectors, like Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) XopR, interfere with these condensates, weakening the plant’s immune response. Specifically, XopR disrupts the RIN4-RPM1 condensates, a key defence system in plants, by altering their material properties and hindering phosphorylation of RIN4.
Looking Ahead: Engineering Robust Crops for a Sustainable Food Future
From left: Dr. Zhu Xinlu, Assoc. Prof. Miao Yansong
This discovery, made possible by the collaborative efforts of a dedicated research team at SBS, opens up new possibilities for strengthening crop resilience. By understanding how phase separation and biomolecular condensates influence plant immunity, researchers can explore innovative strategies to engineer crops with stronger immune responses.
The insights from this study contribute to sustainable farming and global food production, helping address the challenges of climate change and emerging plant diseases. This research aligns with NTU’s focus on Food, Agriculture, and Aquaculture Technologies, paving the way for more secure and sustainable agricultural practices.
Congratulations once again to the team for this incredible achievement!
Read the full paper here.