Conclusions
Since the discovery of EVs, there has been a growing interest in the
mechanisms involved in the sorting and packaging of their cargo
(proteins, nucleic acids, and so on). The components of ESCRT pathway
function together to deliver proteins into EVs. ESCRTs are thus crucial
in plant pathogenic fungi as they contribute to their pathogenesis,
developmental and growth phenotypes. We hypothesize that plant pathogens
use the ESCRT pathway to sort and package protein lacking signal
peptides, and that ubiquitin modification is necessary for fungal
pathogenesis. The exact role of this pathway requires further studies as
proteins with signal peptides are also reported in EVs. Few plant
pathogen studies have highlighted the importance of ESCRT proteins,
especially in the sorting of virulent factors into EVs. We suggest that
the core functions of the ESCRT pathway genes need to be investigated
further in plant pathogenic fungi, particularly since it has been
demonstrated that ESCRT protein dysfunction causes aberrant endosomal
compartments and reduced ILV formation. The much-needed push provided by
genome sequencing makes it simple to characterize this system in fungi
with completely sequenced genomes. Through the characterization and
detection of particular cargos sorted by the ESCRTs, we can gain further
insights into possible mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of plant
pathogen fungi. The ESCRT pathway is involved in the formation of MVBs,
which release ILVs as EVs ‘exosomes’ loaded with bioactive molecules
during heterotypic fusion. Intercellular contact, pathogenicity, and
cellular homeostasis all depend on EVs. As a result, their release can
serve as a barometer of disease, stress, or health. The information
gained on the mechanisms involved in the pathogenicity effects of plant
pathogenic EVs can serve as a stepping stone toward improving our
ability to manage their damaging effects on agricultural crops and
forests.