{
  "abstract": "Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) from Xanthomonas activate transcription of executor (E) genes in host plants, leading to cell death and thereby restricting proliferation of biotrophic pathogens. Because E gene transcripts had only been detected upon activation by cognate Xanthomonas TALEs, E genes were thought to function exclusively in plant immunity. Here, we detect TALE-independent transcription of the rice E gene Xa23 in zygotes 4-6 hours after gamete fusion. Histone deacetylase inhibition induces Xa23 transcription in unfertilized egg cells, implicating histone acetylation in Xa23 regulation. We identified potential cis-regulatory elements and transcription start sites associated with native Xa23 transcription during zygote development. Together, our findings suggest that Xa23 is a developmentally regulated gene with a native role during early zygote development. This supports a previously proposed model in which E genes have native functions in development, while fortuitous upstream polymorphisms can create TALE-binding sites that convert them into immune executors.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of California, Berkeley"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 12,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "K. Schenstnyi"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. Rattanawong"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Satoh"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Strauss"
    },
    {
      "name": "N. Faiss"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. R. Holmes"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Redzich"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Toda"
    },
    {
      "name": "H. Aini"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Kinoshita"
    },
    {
      "name": "T. Lahaye"
    },
    {
      "name": "T. Okamoto"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1aqx5a6ng3g67.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.02.748781",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.02.748781v1.full",
  "id": "1aqx5a6ng3g67",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.02.748781v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "plant biology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1110|Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7207649916",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.02.748781v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-02",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1aqx5a6ng3g67.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:01Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.02.748781",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.02.748781v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:plant biology",
      "subfield": "plant-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "TALE-independent transcriptional activation of the rice executor gene Xa23 is regulated via histone acetylation during zygote development",
  "title_text": "TALE-independent transcriptional activation of the rice executor gene Xa23 is regulated via histone acetylation during zygote development",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:01Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1aqx5a6ng3g67",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}