Deciphering the Molecular Interplay Between Wheat and Puccinia striiformis f. sp. Tritici: Mechanisms of Interaction and Resistance Strategies.

Wheat stripe rust, caused by the obligate biotroph Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), remains one of the most destructive fungal diseases threatening global wheat production. Beyond traditional control through chemical application and resistant cultivar breeding, rapid advances in molecular biology have substantially reshaped our understanding of the intricate molecular dialogue between wheat and Pst. In recent years, research has increasingly focused on Pst pathogenicity factors, wheat immune perception, and the multilayered signaling networks that orchestrate defense responses. Particularly, studies of the molecular crosstalk spanning PAMP recognition, effector deployment, immune activation, and host-pathogen metabolic exchanges have revealed highly dynamic and sophisticated interaction strategies employed by both organisms. A systematic overview of these molecular processes is essential for advancing host resistance breeding and for guiding the rational design of novel disease-management strategies. Here, we comprehensively synthesize current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying wheat-Pst interactions, highlight key advances in understanding their reciprocal communication, and discuss emerging directions for developing durable resistance.