BcDiep1 Effector from <i>Botrytis cinerea</i> Targets Plant LecRK to Induce ROS and Cell Death

A diverse array of lectin receptor kinases (LecRKs) play crucial hub roles in plant adaptation, serving as the primary sensors to perceive, recognize, and promptly respond to a wide range of environmental stimuli. Consequently, they are also more vulnerable to targeted attacks by numerous plant pathogens. In this study, BcDIEP1, a secreted death-inducing effector, was identified from <i>Botrytis cinerea</i> during its infection of tomato fruit. BcDIEP1 is an effector associated with pathogenicity but not with growth or stress resistance. Upon secretion, BcDIEP1 selectively interacted with the membrane-anchored receptor LecRK and modulated its phosphorylation status without altering its expression level. This modification of LecRK was correlated with the accumulation of ROS, reactive molecules that can damage cells, leading to cell death. Overall, these findings suggest that BcDIEP1 is a critical effector of <i>B. cinerea</i> pathogenicity, as it disrupts proper signal transduction and induces self-destructive priming within the plant cells.