Bacterial effectors target BAK1-associated receptor complexes: One stone two birds.

The long-standing association between hosts and microbes has generated some of most intricate relationships. The studies on molecular mechanisms of host-microbe interaction have been revealing many fascinating stories. Here we zoom in on a specific topic on the interplay between bacterial effectors and plant innate immune signaling. In particular, we will summarize our recent discovery that bacterial effector proteins, AvrPto and AvrPtoB, target plant immune signaling receptor complexes to interfere with host immune responses and development.