PsRPs26, a 40S Ribosomal Protein Subunit, Regulates the Growth and Pathogenicity of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. Tritici

Abstract

Eukaryotic ribosomes are essential for proliferation, differentiation, and cell growth. RPs26 is a ribosomal subunit structural protein involved in the growth and development process. Little is known about the function of <i>PsRPs26</i> in pathogenic fungi. In this study, we isolated the RPs26 gene, <i>PsRPs26</i>, from <i>Puccinia striiformis</i> f. sp. <i>tritici</i> (<i>Pst</i>). <i>PsRPs26</i> contains a eukaryotic-specific Y62-K70 motif and is more than 90% identical with its ortholog gene in other fungi. PsRPs26 was found to be localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Expression of <i>PsRPs26</i> increased when wheat seedlings were inoculated with the <i>Pst</i> CYR31 isolate. Moreover, knockdown of <i>PsRPs26</i> by a host-induced gene silencing system inhibited growth and limited urediospore production in <i>Pst</i>. Our discovery that <i>PsRPs26</i> may contribute to the pathogenicity of <i>Pst</i> and open a new way in the pathogenic function of <i>PsRPs26</i> in cereal rust fungi.