Hanbin Bao

Abstract Legume-rhizobial symbiosis, involving the intracellular accommodation of rhizobia within host cells for nitrogen fixation, represents a unique model among plant-microbe interactions. While this symbiosis requires sophisticated regulatory networks, direct host control over symbiont proteins remains largely elusive. Here, we demonstrate that soybean Nodulation Receptor Kinase (GmNORK) interacts with and directly phosphorylates the Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 effector NopZ.

eLife Assessment This manuscript presents important findings on a bacterial effector involved in plant symbiotic signaling. The effector proteolytically targets a key receptor while its activity is counteracted by host-mediated phosphorylation, revealing a dynamic interplay that fine-tunes symbiotic interactions. The evidence supporting these claims is solid, and the findings have potential signaling implications beyond bacterial interactions with plants.

Abstract It is well-documented that type-III effectors are required by Gram-negative pathogens to directly target different host cellular pathways to promote bacterial infection. However, in the context of legume-rhizobium symbiosis, the role of rhizobial effectors in regulating plant symbiotic pathways remains largely unexplored.