Pathogens modulate host microRNA-microPEP loop which could promote infection

Using B. napus – P. brassicae pathosystem as a model, we hypothesize that the pathogen produces small PEP homologues (pathoPEPs) to hijack the host's miRNA loop, thereby controlling host development and fitness. To test this hypothesis, we conducted comprehensive in silico genome approaches to predict and describe (i) plant-encoded miPEPs, (ii) pathoPEPs encoded by the pathogen genome, (iii) plant miRNA targets of these pathoPEPs, and (iv) translated pathoPEPs and their potential roles in infection levels. For this purpose, we analyzed data from plant and pathogen mRNA and small RNA sequencing, as well as ribo-sequencing. Our results provide new evidence that microbial pathogen may produce homologous plant miPEP (pathoPEP) to hijack the miRNA-miPEP loop of the plant, thereby manipulating host development and resistance to infection. These findings open new opportunities for enhancing crop protection against pathogens by manipulating these mechanisms.