Effector PsAvh113 Targets Transcription Factors in .

is a type of pathogenic oomycete that causes root stem rot (PRSR), which can seriously affect the soybean yield and quality. To subvert immunity, secretes a large quantity of effectors. However, the molecular mechanisms regulated by most effectors, and their host targets remain unexplored. Previous studies have shown that the expression of PsAvh113, an effector secreted by , enhances viral RNA accumulations and symptoms in via VIVE assay. In this study, we analyzed RNA-sequencing data based on disease symptoms in leaves that were either mocked or infiltrated with PVX carrying the empty vector (EV) and PsAvh113. We identified 1769 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) dependent on PsAvh113. Using stricter criteria screening and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of DEGs, we found that 38 genes were closely enriched in response to PsAvh113 expression. We selected three genes of (, , and ) and found their transcriptional levels significantly upregulated in infected with PVX carrying PsAvh113. Furthermore, individual silencing of these three genes promoted infection, while their overexpression increased resistance to in . Our results show that PsAvh113 interacts with transcription factors NbMyb4 and NbERF114 in vivo. Collectively, these data may help us understand the pathogenic mechanism of effectors and manage PRSR in soybeans.