Blocking the isoflavone chemoreceptor in Phytophthora sojae to prevent disease

作者：Peiyun Ji, Yazhou Bao, Hao Zhou, Yong Pei, Wen Song, Kangmiao Ou, Zijin Qiao, Jierui Si, Zengtao Zhong, Xia Xu, Tao Huang, Danyu Shen, Zhiyuan Yin, Daolong Dou · 发表于：Science Advances · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1126/sciadv.adt0925 · 被引用次数：19 · 研究领域：Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis、Protist diversity and phylogeny、Plant Pathogens and Resistance

Inhibiting pathogen chemotaxis is a promising strategy for reducing disease pressure. However, this strategy is currently in the proof-of-concept stage. Here, Phytophthora sojae was used as a model, as its biflagellated zoospores could sense genistein, a soybean root exudate, to navigate host and initiate infection. We identify P. sojae IRK1 (isoflavone-insensitive receptor kinase 1) as a receptor for genistein, with PsIRK2 functioning as a coreceptor that enhances the binding affinity of PsIRK1 to genistein and regulates chemotaxis by phosphorylating G protein α subunit. Last, we identify an antagonist, esculetin, which disrupts the PsIRK1-genistein interaction, thereby preventing P. sojae infection by repelling zoospores. Our findings reveal the mechanism by which P. sojae senses host genistein and demonstrate a strategy for disease prevention by targeting the chemoreceptor.