<i>Xoo</i> Effector TalAE73-Targeted <i>OsLTPL23</i> Mediates BacterialBlight Resistance in Rice

Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) secreted from Xanthomonas oryzae pv <i>oryzae</i> (<i>Xoo</i>) function as a pathogenicity factor to activate rice bacterial blight (BB) susceptibility, conforming to the gene-for-gene paradigm as well as resistance. <i>Xoo</i> pathotypes generally harbor one to three major TALEs targeting <i>OsSWEET</i> genes to determine pathogenicity; conversely, the immunity events mediated by minor TALEs have not been taken seriously. Here, we demonstrated that lipid transfer protein encoding gene <i>OsLTPL23</i> positively regulates rice resistance to <i>Xoo</i> pathotype PXO61, and TalAE73^PXO61, a representative member of the most widely distributed TALE family in 135 <i>Xoo</i> isolates, transcriptionally activates <i>OsLTPL23</i> expression. Further, TalAE73^PXO61 is an avirulence protein, causing effector-triggered immunity in compatible rice-<i>Xoo</i> interaction. In addition, reactive oxygen species accumulation, nitrate uptake, and salicylic acid homeostasis are transcriptionally and physiologically associated with <i>OsLTPL23</i>-dependent BB resistance.