Distinctive outlook into the mechanism of resistance to rice blast

Rice blast, caused by the filamentous fungus Magnaporthe oryzae (also known as Pyricularia oryzae), is the most severe disease threatening rice yield. Sakuranetin, an important plant phytoalexin, exhibits inhibitory effects on rice blast fungus growth. However, the underlying molecular mechanism by which sakuranetin enhances plant resistance against pathogens remains unclear. A recent study published in Nature Communications by Jiang et al. (Nat. Commun, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47746-y) elucidated from a cytological perspective how sakuranetin enhances resistance to rice blast disease. The research revealed that elevated accumulation of sakuranetin attenuates the endocytosis of M. oryzae effectors into the cytoplasm of rice host cells. The inhibitory effect of sakuranetin is dosage-dependent and targets clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). This study provides novel insights into understanding plant immune mechanisms underlying weakening pathogen virulence weapons.