Work

The engineered Immunoprotein enhance broad-spectrum disease resistance in solanaceous crops

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The sustainability of global agricultural systems, a cornerstone for both economic security and food supply chains, is increasingly compromised by phytopathogen invasions. Herein, we characterize RP151—a novel biopesticide engineered through rational concatenation of plant immunity-stimulating peptides. This recombinant protein demonstrates exceptional bioavailability in Solanaceous crops like tobacco and tomato, inducing multifaceted defense responses within 24 h post-application, as evidenced by ROS burst, MAPK cascade activation, and localized callose deposition. Mechanistic studies reveal that RP151-mediated resistance against TMV and its co-infection with CMV primarily operates through SA-dependent signaling. ‌In comparative trials, RP151 significantly prolonged SAR duration and effectively suppressed lesion expansion in TMV-challenged plants relative to conventional antiviral agents. Notably, the broad-spectrum efficacy of RP151 was further validated against necrotrophic fungi (Botrytis cinerea) in tomato. RP151’s deployment could lead to a substantial reduction in the use of harmful pesticides, offering a sustainable, safe solution for enhancing plant defense against a variety of pathogens.

Source: BMC Plant Biology

DOI: 10.1186/s12870-026-08158-w