Highlights•Mutualistic mycorrhizal plant–fungal interactions have shaped the evolution of
plant life on land.•Effector-like small secreted proteins are used by beneficial fungi to alter …

In addition to a range of preformed barriers, plants defend themselves against microbial
invasion by detecting conserved, secreted molecules, called pathogen‐associated …

Phyto-pathogenic fungi can cause huge damage to crop production. During millions of years
of coexistence, fungi have evolved diverse life-style to obtain nutrients from the host and to …

Phytopathogenic bacteria and plants are locked in molecular struggles that determine the
outcome of an infection. Bacteria make effector molecules that can induce defenses if …

Phytopathogenic bacteria deliver effectors of disease into plant hosts via a Type III secretion
system. These Type III effectors have genetically determined roles in virulence. They also …

Oomycetes cause devastating plant diseases of global importance, yet little is known about
the molecular basis of their pathogenicity. Recently, the first oomycete effector genes with …

Highlights•Effectors enable robust interkingdom communication at the fungus–plant
interface.•Fungi produce novel metabolites and/or phytohormone mimics during host …

Fungi have adapted to diverse habitats and ecological niches, including the complex plant
systems. Success of the pathogenic or symbiotic fungi in colonizing the plant tissue depends …

The major virulence strategy for plant pathogenic bacteria is deployment of effector
molecules within the host cytoplasm. Each bacterial strain possesses a set of 20–30 …

Highlights•The manuscript is on the fundamental mechanisms that shape biotrophic
interactions.•Biotrophic model organisms Cladosporium fulvum and Ustilago maydis are …