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Abstract

During infection, pathogens, including fungi, secrete an arsenal of molecules, collectively called effectors, key elements of pathogenesis that modulate innate immunity of the plant and facilitate infection. Effectors have a dual role in microbe-plant interactions, both targeting plant components and being targeted by resistance (R) proteins and then termed avirulence (AVR) proteins. Leptosphaeria maculans is responsible for one of the most devastating disease of oilseed rape (Brassica napus). The sequencing of its genome revealed a bipartite structure, alternating gene rich GC-equilibrated regions and gene poor AT-rich regions made up of mosaics of transposable elements. The AT-rich regions encompass one third of the genome and are enriched in putative effector genes including cloned AVR genes that present the same expression pattern (no or a low expression level during in vitro growth and a strong over-expression during all the biotrophic stages of infection).

We are currently investigating: 

1. the involvement of L. maculans effectors in pathogenicity and their complex interactions with R proteins using structural biology and functional genomics;
2. the regulation of L. maculans effector genes, including the chromatin-based and transcriptional control of their expression.

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Isabelle Fudal est chercheuse au sein de l'équipe EPLM - Effecteurs et Pathogenèse chez Leptosphaeria maculans, unité BIOGER (Biologie et gestion des risques en agriculture) dans le domaine des interactions plantes-champignon avec un focus sur le pathosystème colza- Leptosphaeria maculans (nécrose du colet). Sur ce modèle, elle conduit des approches de génétique et génomique fongique et des analyses structure/fonction sur les effecteurs de pathogénie. Elle étudie en particulier les mécanismes de régulation épigénétique de l’expression de ces gènes codant des effecteurs au cours de l’infection.