'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso) effectors and their function in plant immune response.

'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso) is a fastidious α-proteobacterium, vectored by psyllids, and associated with devastating diseases in Solanaceae and Apiaceae. This non-culturable Gram-negative bacterium secretes effector proteins that manipulate host immunity, contributing to its pathogenicity. Because this pathogen is fastidious, its study is challenging. Identifying and characterizing effector proteins secreted during the infection contributes to understanding the diseases it causes. We identified Lso-effectors, both Sec-translocon-dependent proteins and non-traditional secreted proteins. We present progress towards characterizing the effect of these proteins subverting early plant immune responses. Toward this end, we evaluate the effect of the effectors in ROS burst, calcium influx and plant cell death. For one of the most potent effectors, we describe one interacting tomato protein and discuss the potential function of the effector and interacting protein in disease development. These findings advance the understanding of effector roles in Lso pathogenesis and reveal potential targets to breed for disease management.