Role of the coding and noncoding transcriptome during the evolutionary arms race between the oomycete Plasmopara viticola and its host grapevine

Si Ammour Azeddine 
CRI - Fondazione Edmund Mach - Italy

October 14, 2026 (11:30-12:30)
Webinar Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/342846074599005?p=dWhwlhY2u1umaebdjT

Abstract: Plants deploy a multitude of cell-surface and intracellular proteins to trigger immune responses against pathogens. The most desirable defense mechanism in agriculture, commonly employed for pyramiding resistance genes in breeding programs, relies on effector-triggered immunity (ETI). The fundamental principle of ETI involves an interaction between a pathogen effector and a nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat protein (NLR), leading to a hypersensitive response at the infection site that ultimately helps halt pathogen progression. However, pathogens have evolved sophisticated effectors to suppress this immune response, and several examples will be presented, including the role of small noncoding RNAs. As a case study, we will present a multi-omics study of Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew, demonstrating how this oomycete has evolved sophisticated mechanisms to counteract its host’s defenses. Beyond the potential role of P. viticola protein-coding genes in regulating the infection process, we will present a cross-kingdom, small RNA-mediated gene regulation that contributes substantially to the ongoing arms race between P. viticola and Vitis species. This noncoding RNA-based mechanism may be fundamental for P. viticola to successfully infect its host

Author's Info: https://cri.fmach.it/Personale/Si-Ammour-Azeddine#contatti