Unraveling Microbial Strategies: Targeting the Plant Ubiquitin - Proteasome Pathway

The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS) stands as a central regulator in the intricate web of plant immune responses, orchestrating the turnover of key immune components. Through the UPS, plants finely tune their defenses, from the initial recognition of pathogens to the activation of defense strategies. Immune receptors, signaling components associated with defense hormones, and transcription factors are among the targets modulated by the UPS, shaping both PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). However, pathogens have evolved sophisticated strategies to manipulate the UPS for their benefit. Fungi, bacteria, and viruses deploy effector proteins to exploit the UPS, either by promoting the degradation of host defense elements or by interfering with UPS-mediated processes. This intricate interplay underscores the pivotal role of the UPS in plant-pathogen dynamics, presenting both challenges and opportunities for understanding and manipulating plant immunity. Unraveling the complexities of UPS regulation and pathogen exploitation thereof is crucial for advancing our knowledge of plant-microbe interactions and developing strategies for sustainable disease management in agriculture.