Unraveling the Role of Effector Proteins in Plant Immunity Suppression and Resistance Mechanisms

Effector proteins secreted by pathogens play a pivotal role in plant-pathogen interactions by modulating host cellular processes. These molecules can alter gene expression, disrupt immune signaling, and interfere with plant defense responses to establish infection. While some effectors suppress host immunity, others inadvertently trigger resistance responses, leading to an evolutionary arms race between plants and pathogens.

This Research Topic explores the molecular mechanisms underlying effector protein function, focusing on their roles in plant immune system modulation. Recent advances have highlighted how pathogens use effectors to reprogram host transcription, modify post-translational protein interactions, and manipulate signaling pathways. Understanding these interactions is critical for developing targeted strategies to enhance plant resistance against emerging diseases.

Key research areas include:

- Mechanisms of effector-mediated immune suppression in plants
- Host cellular targets of effector proteins and their functional consequences
- Crosstalk between effector proteins and plant hormone signaling pathways
- Role of effectors in pathogen adaptation and host specificity
- Applications of effector research in disease management and crop protection

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: effector proteins, plant immunity, pathogen-host interactions, immune suppression, disease resistance

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.