The Cyclophilin Effector TaCYPE1 From the Tomato Leaf Miner Tuta absoluta Suppresses Plant Immunity by Targeting Host RNA-Binding Proteins.

TaCYPE1 from Tuta absoluta suppresses plant immunity by targeting host RNA-binding proteins, increasing host susceptibility and insect virulence.

• Why it matters: Understanding how insect effectors manipulate plant defenses is crucial for developing resistant crops and managing pest impacts, yet the molecular details are largely unknown.
• What they did: The study characterized TaCYPE1, demonstrating its ability to suppress immune responses in Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato, and revealed its interaction with host glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins through domain-mapping analyses.
• The result: TaCYPE1 enhances insect virulence by attenuating plant immunity via targeting GR-RBP-mediated regulation, uncovering a new layer of post-transcriptional control in plant-insect interactions.