Exploring the potential role of four nuclear effectors: opportunities and technical limitations.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate symbionts that interact with the roots of most land plants. The genome of the AMF model species contains hundreds of predicted small effector proteins that are secreted extracellularly but also into the plant cells to suppress plant immunity and modify plant physiology to establish a niche for growth. Here, we investigated the role of four nuclear-localized putative effectors, , GLOIN707, GLOIN781, GLOIN261, and RiSP749, in mycorrhization and plant growth.

Characterization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Effector Proteins.

Plants are colonized by various fungi with both pathogenic and beneficial lifestyles. One type of colonization strategy is through the secretion of effector proteins that alter the plant's physiology to accommodate the fungus. The oldest plant symbionts, the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), may exploit effectors to their benefit.