VinaFOLD · Investigating the Role of the FOLD Effector SSPK in Venturia inaequalis Adaptation to Domesticated Apple Trees

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Project objective

Apple scab, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, is the most damaging disease of apple (Malus domestica), capable of destroying up to 70% of yields in susceptible orchards and driving a heavy fungicide regime. Domestication and the genetic uniformity of modern orchards have originated the development of highly virulent pathogen strains that now threaten not only cultivated apples but also wild relatives such as Malus sieversii, a vital reservoir of genetic diversity.Like many plant pathogens, V. inaequalis relies on secreted effector proteins to suppress host immunity and promote infection. Among these, the FOLD-like effector SSPK has emerged as a key factor in adaptation to domesticated apples, showing distinct allelic variation between agricultural and wild host populations. Despite its apparent importance, the molecular function, host targets, and evolutionary trajectory of SSPK remain unknown.VinaFOLD will combine comparative genomics, functional assays, and structural modeling to (i) trace the evolution and diversification of SSPK, (ii) dissect its localization, activity, and role in virulence in planta, and (iii) identify its host targets or immune receptors in wild and domesticated Malus. Beyond elucidating a model of domestication-driven pathogen adaptation, this work will deliver knowledge for breeding durable resistance, reducing chemical inputs, and preserving biodiversity in line with EU sustainability goals.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSITE D'ANGERS · Angers Cedex 01CoordinatorFrance

Links

• View on CORDIS
• DOI: 10.3030/101271801