Powdery mildew induces chloroplast storage lipid formation at the expense of host thylakoids to promote spore production.

Powdery mildews are obligate biotrophic fungi that manipulate plant metabolism to supply lipids to the fungus, particularly during fungal asexual reproduction when lipid demand is high. We found levels of leaf storage lipids (triacylglycerols, TAGs) are 3.5-fold higher in whole Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves with a 15-fold increase in storage lipids at the infection site during fungal asexual reproduction.