The mycoparasite Pythium oligandrum is a nonpathogenic oomycete that can boost plant immune responses. Elicitins are microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) specifically produced by oomycetes that activate plant defense. Here, we identified a novel elicitin, PoEli8, from P. oligandrum that exhibits immunity-inducing activity in plants. In vitro-purified PoEli8 induced strong innate immune responses and enhanced resistance to the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici in Solanaceae plants, including Nicotiana benthamiana, tomato, and pepper. Cell death and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation triggered by the PoEli8 protein were dependent on the plant coreceptors receptor-like kinases (RLKs) BAK1 and SOBIR1. Furthermore, REli from N. benthamiana, a cell surface receptor-like protein (RLP) was implicated in the perception of PoEli8 in N. benthamiana. These results indicate the potential value of PoEli8 as a bioactive formula to protect Solanaceae plants against Phytophthora.
Keywords: Pythium oligandrum; cell surface receptor; elicitin; plant resistance.