Juan Zhang

Conserved DEAD-box RNA helicases regulate RNA silencing and plant immunity and are targeted by a powdery mildew effector.

RNA silencing is a conserved defense mechanism that protects plants against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes. Although diverse pathogens have evolved effectors that suppress host RNA silencing, whether powdery mildew fungi exploit this strategy and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we ide...