Rab7/Retromer-based endolysosomal trafficking is essential for proper host invasion in rice blast

Abstract

Secretion is a fundamental process that plant pathogens utilize to deliver effectors into the host to downregulate immunity and promote infection. Here, we uncover a fascinating membrane trafficking and delivery route that originates from vacuolar membranes in Magnaporthe oryzae and conduits to the host interface and plasma membrane. To perform such secretory/trafficking function, MoRab7 first recruits the retromer complex to the vacuolar membrane, enabling recognition of a family of SNARE proteins, including MoSnc1. Live-cell imaging confirmed a highly dynamic vesicular trafficking of the retromer complex component(s) and MoSnc1 toward and across the host interface or plasma membrane, and subsequent fusion with target membranes. Interestingly, disruption of the MoRab7/Retromer/MoSnc1-based endolysosomal cascade affects effector secretion and fungal pathogenicity. Taken together, we discovered an unconventional protein and membrane trafficking route starting from the fungal endolysosomes to the M. oryzae–rice interaction interface and dissect the role of MoRab7/Retromer/MoSnc1 sorting machinery in effector secretion during biotrophy and invasive growth in rice blast fungus.