Molecular characterisation and structural assessment of an RXLR effector from Phytophthora palmivora, the coconut bud rot pathogen

Phytophthora species are phytopathogenic oomycetes that damage a wide variety of crops. delivers effectors, which secretory proteins, into the host cells. Effectors promote infection by reprogramming cellular machinery and key determinants oomycete virulence. The major class effector proteins contains RXLR motif. In this study, we have carried out molecular structural characterisation an (RXLR6744) from virulent P. palmivora isolated bud rot disease-affected coconut palm. open reading frame (ORF) RXLR6744, amplified using RT-PCR, had length 411 bp. gene was found to encode predicted protein 136 amino acids weight 15.52 kDa. Phylogenetic analysis acid sequence revealed it closely related (causing black pod disease in cocoa) megakarya. Topology composed six α-helices. prediction undertaken computer-aided homology modelling. From Ramachandran plot analysis, could be observed majority (96.3%) were present preferred region, 3.7 per cent residues allowed no disallowed region. structure showed average quality 94.4 cent, indicating high-quality structure. This study provides detailed palmivora. It will aid elucidation its role pathogenesis facilitate further refined investigations structure/function relationships effectors.