Subversion of plant cellular functions by bacterial type‐III effectors: beyond suppression of immunity

Summary Most bacterial plant pathogens employ a type‐ III secretion system to inject type‐ III effector (T3E) proteins directly inside plant cells. These T3Es manipulate host cellular processes in order to create a permissive niche for bacterial proliferation, allowing development of the disease. An important role of T3Es in plant pathogenic bacteria is the suppression of plant immune responses. However, in recent years, research has uncovered T3E functions different from direct immune suppression, including the modulation of plant hormone signaling, metabolism or organelle function. This insight article discusses T3E functions other than suppression of immunity, which may contribute to the modulation of plant cells in order to promote bacterial survival, nutrient release, and bacterial replication and dissemination. Contents Summary 51 I. Introduction 51 II. Beyond suppression of immunity: Xanthomonas transcription activator‐like effectors 52 III. Type‐III effector manipulation of plant hormone signaling 53 IV. Type‐III effectors remodel cell biology and plant metabolism 53 V. Type‐III effector manipulation of chloroplast and mitochondria 54 VI. Conclusions 54 Acknowledgements 55 References 56