Sabotage behind enemy lines: Bacterial hijacking of plant cellular functions.

Gram-negative phytopathogenic bacteria employ a Type III Secretion System (T3SS) to deliver effector proteins (T3Es) into plant cells. While the role of T3Es in suppressing plant immunity is well-established, mounting evidence indicates that these proteins also function as sophisticated manipulators of host physiology and metabolism. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding how T3Es modulate cellular processes beyond immune signaling to establish a conducive niche for colonization. In this review, we examine how effectors facilitate pathogen entry and induce water-soaking by manipulating stomatal dynamics, plant development, and apoplastic hydration. Furthermore, we highlight how bacteria secure nutrients by activating susceptibility genes and reprogramming metabolism, while simultaneously remodeling the host cytoskeleton and vesicular trafficking to dismantle cellular architecture.