Convergent evolution of plant pattern recognition receptors sensing cysteine-rich patterns from three microbial
Yuankun Yang1, Christina E Steidele2,3, Clemens Rössner4
1Department of Plant Biochemistry, Center of Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. yuankun.yang@zmbp.uni-tuebingen.de.
Nature Communications
|June 19, 2023
Summary
Arabidopsis RLP30 protein detects fungal and bacterial molecules, conferring broad-spectrum immunity. This receptor
Area of Science:
- Plant immunity
- Molecular plant-pathogen interactions
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Receptor-Like Proteins (RLPs) are crucial components of plant immune systems.
- The Arabidopsis thaliana Receptor-Like Protein RLP30 (AtRLP30) is known to confer immunity against fungal pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the ligand(s) recognized by AtRLP30.
- To investigate the evolutionary implications of RLP30-ligand interactions.
- To explore the broader immune role of AtRLP30 against diverse pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Ligand identification through biochemical assays.
- Comparative sequence analysis of RLP and ligand proteins.
- Functional expression of AtRLP30 in Nicotiana tabacum to assess pathogen susceptibility.
Main Results:
- The primary ligand for AtRLP30 was identified as a small cysteine-rich protein (SCP) found in fungi and oomycetes.
- A distinct RLP, RE02 from Nicotiana benthamiana, also recognizes SCPs, indicating convergent evolution of distinct immune receptors.
- AtRLP30 exhibits a secondary ligand specificity for a bacterial protein from Pseudomonads.
- Expression of AtRLP30 in tobacco reduced susceptibility to fungal, oomycete, and bacterial pathogens.
Conclusions:
- SCP is a conserved immune target, driving the evolution of diverse plant immune receptors.
- AtRLP30 provides broad-spectrum immunity against pathogens from three microbial kingdoms.
- RLP30-mediated pattern recognition is a key mechanism for plant defense.
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