Feruloyl esterase (ferulic acid esterase, FAE) is an essential component of many biological processes in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. This research aimed to investigate the role of FAE and its regulation mechanism in plant immunity. We identified a secreted feruloyl esterase VdFAE from the hemibiotrophic plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae. VdFAE acted as an important virulence factor during V. dahliae infection, and triggered plant defence responses, including cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana. Deletion of VdFAE led to a decrease in the degradation of ethyl ferulate. VdFAE interacted with Gossypium hirsutum protein dihydroflavanol 4-reductase (GhDFR), a positive regulator in plant innate immunity, and promoted the degradation of GhDFR. Furthermore, silencing of GhDFR led to reduced resistance of cotton plants against V. dahliae. The results suggested a fungal virulence strategy in which a fungal pathogen secretes FAE to interact with host DFR and interfere with plant immunity, thereby promoting infection.

中文翻译：

---

大丽轮枝菌分泌的阿魏酸酯酶通过降解 GhDFR 调节宿主免疫

阿魏酸酯酶（阿魏酸酯酶，FAE）是真核生物和原核生物许多生物过程的重要组成部分。本研究旨在探讨FAE在植物免疫中的作用及其调控机制。我们从半生物营养型植物病原体黄萎病中鉴定出一种分泌型阿魏酸酯酶 VdFAE 。VdFAE在V过程中充当重要的毒力因子。大丽花感染，并引发植物防御反应，包括本塞姆氏烟草的细胞死亡。VdFAE的缺失导致阿魏酸乙酯的降解减少。VdFAE 与植物先天免疫正调节因子陆地棉蛋白二氢黄烷醇 4-还原酶 (GhDFR) 相互作用，促进 GhDFR 的降解。此外，GhDFR的沉默导致棉花植株对弧菌的抗性降低。大丽花。结果提示了一种真菌毒力策略，其中真菌病原体分泌FAE与宿主DFR相互作用并干扰植物免疫，从而促进感染。