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| Open AccessAgrobacterium expressing a type III secretion system delivers Pseudomonas effectors into plant cells to enhance transformation
Agrobacterium infection can cause defense responses in many plants, which leads to transformation recalcitrance. Here, the authors express type III secretion system in Agrobacterium to deliver effector proteins into plant cells to suppress host defense responses and thus enhance transformation in some plant species.
- Vidhyavathi Raman
- , Clemencia M. Rojas
- & Kirankumar S. Mysore
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Article
| Open AccessThe barley leaf rust resistance gene Rph3 encodes a predicted membrane protein and is induced upon infection by avirulent pathotypes of Puccinia hordei
Leaf rust is an economically significant disease of barley. Here the authors describe cloning of the barley Rph3 leaf rust resistance gene and reveal it encodes a predicted transmembrane protein that is expressed upon infection by Rph3-avirulent Puccinia hordei isolates.
- Hoan X. Dinh
- , Davinder Singh
- & Mohammad Pourkheirandish
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Article
| Open AccessA fungal extracellular effector inactivates plant polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein
Plants produce polygalacuturonase-inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) to counteract cell wall degradation by pathogenic microbes. Here the authors show that Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a fungal pathogen that causes stem rot disease, secretes a PGIP-inactivating effector to diminish plant resistance.
- Wei Wei
- , Liangsheng Xu
- & Weidong Chen
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Article
| Open AccessNew recognition specificity in a plant immune receptor by molecular engineering of its integrated domain
Plant NLR proteins trigger immune responses upon recognition of pathogen effectors. Here the authors show that the integrated decoy domain of the rice NLR RGA5 can be engineered to trigger immune responses upon binding a non-cognate effector.
- Stella Cesari
- , Yuxuan Xi
- & Thomas Kroj
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Article
| Open AccessGenotyping-by-sequencing-based identification of Arabidopsis pattern recognition receptor RLP32 recognizing proteobacterial translation initiation factor IF1
Pattern-triggered immunity is activated by recognition of microbe-derived structures by host pattern recognition receptors. Here the authors use a genotype-by sequencing approach to show that bacterial translation initiation factor 1 triggers PTI in Arabidopsis thaliana after recognition by the RLP32 receptor.
- Li Fan
- , Katja Fröhlich
- & Thorsten Nürnberger
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Article
| Open AccessMechanosensory trichome cells evoke a mechanical stimuli–induced immune response in Arabidopsis thaliana
Plant immunity can be induced by pathogen signals or environmental cues. Here, the authors show that plant leaves use trichomes to sense incoming raindrops and trigger basal defence responses to protect against subsequent microbial infection.
- Mamoru Matsumura
- , Mika Nomoto
- & Yasuomi Tada
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Article
| Open AccessCoat proteins of necroviruses target 14-3-3a to subvert MAPKKKα-mediated antiviral immunity in plants
MAPK cascades play an important role in innate immunity. Here, the authors show that that beet black scorch virus activates MAPK signaling in Nicotiana benthamiana and the viral coat protein counteracts MAPK-mediated defence by competitively binding to a MAPKKKα interactor.
- Zongyu Gao
- , Dingliang Zhang
- & Yongliang Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessCitrus Huanglongbing is a pathogen-triggered immune disease that can be mitigated with antioxidants and gibberellin
Huanglongbing is a devastating disease of citrus, caused by phloem-colonizing bacteria. Here, the authors present evidence that the disease is the result of an exacerbated immune response to the infection, including production of reactive oxygen species, and that antioxidants and a growth-promoting hormone can mitigate disease symptoms.
- Wenxiu Ma
- , Zhiqian Pang
- & Nian Wang
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Article
| Open AccessActivation of the plant mevalonate pathway by extracellular ATP
Products of the mevalonate pathway support plant development. Here the authors show that the extracellular ATP receptor P2K1 phosphorylates mevalonate kinase and this affects the mevalonate pathway.
- Sung-Hwan Cho
- , Katalin Tóth
- & Gary Stacey
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Article
| Open AccessOxicam-type non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit NPR1-mediated salicylic acid pathway
The plant defense hormone salicylic acid has structural similarity to oxicam-type non-steroidal antiinflammatories. Here the authors show oxicams, as well as endogenous salicylic acid, can alter cellular redox state and immune signaling without affecting the redox status of cysteines in NPR1.
- Nobuaki Ishihama
- , Seung-won Choi
- & Ken Shirasu
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Article
| Open AccessThe barley immune receptor Mla recognizes multiple pathogens and contributes to host range dynamics
The genes underlying stripe rust host specificity between wheat and barley remain unknown. Here, the authors report that Rps6, Rps7 and Rps8 determine host species specificity in barley at different stages of the pathogen lifecycle and the barley powdery mildew immune receptor Mla8 and Rps7 are the same gene.
- Jan Bettgenhaeuser
- , Inmaculada Hernández-Pinzón
- & Matthew J. Moscou
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Article
| Open AccessMPK3- and MPK6-mediated VLN3 phosphorylation regulates actin dynamics during stomatal immunity in Arabidopsis
Plants can rapidly close stomata to restrict pathogen entry into leaves. Here the authors show that phosphorylation of villin3 by mitogen-activated protein kinases modulates actin remodeling to activate stomatal defense in Arabidopsis.
- Minxia Zou
- , Mengmeng Guo
- & Jiejie Li
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Article
| Open AccessArabidopsis P4 ATPase-mediated cell detoxification confers resistance to Fusarium graminearum and Verticillium dahliae
Toxic metabolites produced by phytopathogens can subvert host immunity. Here the authors show that the Arabidopsis P4-ATPases, AtALA1 and AtALA7 mediate mycotoxin detoxification by promoting vesicle transport and their subsequent sequestration and degradation in vacuoles.
- Fanlong Wang
- , Xianbi Li
- & Yan Pei
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Article
| Open AccessThe Arabidopsis MIK2 receptor elicits immunity by sensing a conserved signature from phytocytokines and microbes
Peptide signals generated during plant microbe interactions can trigger immune responses in plants. Here the authors show that SCOOP12, a member of a family of peptides present in Brassicaceae plants, and SCOOP12-like motifs in Fusarium fungi, can trigger immune responses following perception by the MIK2 receptor kinase.
- Shuguo Hou
- , Derui Liu
- & Ping He
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Article
| Open AccessA bacterial kinase phosphorylates OSK1 to suppress stomatal immunity in rice
XopC2 effectors are present in many plant bacterial pathogens. Here the authors show that XopC2 has kinase activity and enhances disease susceptibility by phosphorylating the OSK1 protein, which increases its interaction with the jasmonate receptor COI1b to promote JA signaling and stomatal opening.
- Shanzhi Wang
- , Shuai Li
- & Wenxian Sun
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Article
| Open AccessGeminiviruses encode additional small proteins with specific subcellular localizations and virulence function
Geminiviruses are small plant-infecting viruses. Here the authors screen the geminivirus genome for small open reading frames that may have been previously overlooked and show that one encodes a protein named V3 that localizes to the Golgi and acts as an RNA silencing suppressor.
- Pan Gong
- , Huang Tan
- & Xueping Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessXanthomonas effector XopR hijacks host actin cytoskeleton via complex coacervation
Bacterial pathogens can subvert host cell processes through secreted proteins but the precise mechanisms and repertoire of proteins remains unclear. Here the authors report that a bacterial effector protein of Xanthomonas campestris, XopR, undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation to hijack the host cell actin cytoskeleton.
- He Sun
- , Xinlu Zhu
- & Yansong Miao
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Article
| Open AccessPathogen effector recognition-dependent association of NRG1 with EDS1 and SAG101 in TNL receptor immunity
For defence, plants deploy nucleotide binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors to detect pathogens that signal via modular networks of downstream proteins. Here the authors report rapid induced association of non-interchangeable signalling pathway module components after NLR activation.
- Xinhua Sun
- , Dmitry Lapin
- & Jane E. Parker
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Article
| Open AccessA recombined Sr26 and Sr61 disease resistance gene stack in wheat encodes unrelated NLR genes
The tall wheat grass-derived stem rust resistance genes Sr26 and Sr61 are among a few ones that are effective to all current dominant races of stem rust, including Ug99. Here, the authors show that the two genes are present in a small non-recombinogenic segment but encode two unrelated NLR proteins.
- Jianping Zhang
- , Timothy C. Hewitt
- & Evans S. Lagudah
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Article
| Open AccessGenome-resolved metagenomics reveals role of iron metabolism in drought-induced rhizosphere microbiome dynamics
Advances in omics provide a tool to understand mechanisms for plant–microbial interactions under stress. Here the authors apply genome-resolved metagenomics to investigate sorghum and its microbiome responses to drought, identifying an unexpected role of iron metabolism.
- Ling Xu
- , Zhaobin Dong
- & Devin Coleman-Derr
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Article
| Open AccessEpidermal chloroplasts are defense-related motile organelles equipped with plant immune components
Leaf epidermal cells contain small chloroplasts which likely contribute little to photosynthesis and whose function is unclear. Here the authors show that these chloroplasts move toward the leaf surface in response to invasion trials by non-adapted fungal pathogens and contribute to non-host resistance.
- Hiroki Irieda
- & Yoshitaka Takano
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Article
| Open AccessS-acylation of P2K1 mediates extracellular ATP-induced immune signaling in Arabidopsis
S-acylation is a reversible protein post-translational modification that often regulates protein function at the plasma membrane. Here the authors show that an Arabidopsis extracellular ATP receptor P2K1 mediates phosphorylation of two S-acyltransferases which in turn mediate S-acylation of P2K1 and dampen ATP responses.
- Dongqin Chen
- , Fengsheng Hao
- & Gary Stacey
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Article
| Open AccessInterplay of two transcription factors for recruitment of the chromatin remodeling complex modulates fungal nitrosative stress response
Plant and animal tissues produce nitric oxide and reactive nitrogen species that induce nitrosative stress in pathogens. Here, Jian et al. identify two transcriptional regulators in the phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum that control the nitrosative stress response by modulating the recruitment of a chromatin-remodelling complex at the promoters of the response genes.
- Yunqing Jian
- , Zunyong Liu
- & Zhonghua Ma
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Article
| Open AccessThe N-terminus of an Ustilaginoidea virens Ser-Thr-rich glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein elicits plant immunity as a MAMP
Ustilaginoidea virens is a fungal pathogen that infects rice via the panicles. Here, the authors show that U. virens SGP1, a conserved Ser-Thr-rich glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol-anchored protein, elicits immune responses in rice leaves while contributing to virulence in panicles.
- Tianqiao Song
- , You Zhang
- & Yongfeng Liu
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Article
| Open AccessA central circadian oscillator confers defense heterosis in hybrids without growth vigor costs
There is frequently a trade-off between plant immunity and growth. Here the authors show that the epigenetic control of CCA1, encoding a core component of the circadian oscillator, simultaneously promotes heterosis for both defense and growth in hybrids under pathogen invasion.
- Li Yang
- , Pengtao Liu
- & Guangming He
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Article
| Open AccessThe Botrytis cinerea Crh1 transglycosylase is a cytoplasmic effector triggering plant cell death and defense response
Crh proteins catalyze crosslinking of chitin and glucan polymers in fungal cell walls. Here, Bi et al. show that a Crh protein from the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea acts as a cytoplasmic effector and elicitor of plant defense, and plants expressing this gene exhibit reduced sensitivity to the pathogen.
- Kai Bi
- , Loredana Scalschi
- & Amir Sharon
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Article
| Open AccessPoaceae-specific cell wall-derived oligosaccharides activate plant immunity via OsCERK1 during Magnaporthe oryzae infection in rice
Pathogen entry to plant cells can release cell wall components. Here the authors show that two endoglucanases secreted by the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, produce specific oligosaccharides from rice cell walls that trigger immunity by promoting dimerization of OsCERK1 and OsCEBiP receptors.
- Chao Yang
- , Rui Liu
- & Jun Liu
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Article
| Open AccessA membrane-bound ankyrin repeat protein confers race-specific leaf rust disease resistance in wheat
Winter wheat cultivar Forno harbors a race-specific leaf rust resistance locus Lr14a, but the causative gene is unknown. Here, the authors show that Lr14a encodes a membrane-localized protein containing ankyrin repeats and Lr14a-containing segments have been introgressed into the bread wheat gene pool multiple times.
- Markus C. Kolodziej
- , Jyoti Singla
- & Beat Keller
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Article
| Open AccessPerception of a divergent family of phytocytokines by the Arabidopsis receptor kinase MIK2
Secreted peptides and cell-surface localized receptor kinases allow plants to modify growth and development according to external cues. Here, Rhodes et al. show that the MIK2 receptor perceives the SERINE RICH ENDOGENOUS PEPTIDE (SCOOP) family of phytocytokines and is capable of recognising Fusarium-derived SCOOP-like peptides.
- Jack Rhodes
- , Huanjie Yang
- & Cyril Zipfel
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| Open AccessA wheat cysteine-rich receptor-like kinase confers broad-spectrum resistance against Septoria tritici blotch
Septoria tritici blotch (STB) is a devastating foliar disease affecting worldwide wheat production. Here, the authors report a cysteine-rich receptor-like kinase that can confer resistance to Zymoseptoria tritici, the pathogen that causes STB, and slow penetration and intercellular growth of the pathogen.
- Cyrille Saintenac
- , Florence Cambon
- & Thierry Langin
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Article
| Open AccessArabidopsis calcium-dependent protein kinase 3 regulates actin cytoskeleton organization and immunity
Remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton occurs during plant immune responses to pathogens. Here Lu et al. show that this process requires the calcium-dependent kinase CPK3 which phosphorylates actin depolymerizing factor 4 and is required for both PAMP and effector-triggered immunity in Arabidopsis.
- Yi-Ju Lu
- , Pai Li
- & Brad Day
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Article
| Open AccessTwo nuclear effectors of the rice blast fungus modulate host immunity via transcriptional reprogramming
Plant pathogens secrete various effectors to manipulate host immunity. Here, Kim et al. describe two Magnaporthe oryzae effectors that translocate into the nuclei of infected rice cells and reprogram expression of immunity-associated genes, increasing susceptibility to hemibiotrophic pathogens.
- Seongbeom Kim
- , Chi-Yeol Kim
- & Yong-Hwan Lee
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Article
| Open AccessThe tomato receptor CuRe1 senses a cell wall protein to identify Cuscuta as a pathogen
Parasitic plants such as Cuscuta penetrate the shoots of susceptible hosts to obtain sugars, solutes and water. Here the authors show that resistant varieties of tomato can trigger an immune response against Cuscuta by perceiving a small glycine rich protein produced by the parasite.
- Volker Hegenauer
- , Peter Slaby
- & Markus Albert
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Article
| Open AccessSUSA2 is an F-box protein required for autoimmunity mediated by paired NLRs SOC3-CHS1 and SOC3-TN2
Plant NLR immune receptors detect pathogen effectors and oligomerize upon immune activation. Here Liang et al. show that an F-box protein, SUSA2, and SUSA3/HSP90.3 interact with the paired NLRs SOC3-CHS1 and SOC3-TN2 and are required for autoimmunity mediated by these NLRs.
- Wanwan Liang
- , Meixuezi Tong
- & Xin Li
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Article
| Open AccessA trimeric CrRLK1L-LLG1 complex genetically modulates SUMM2-mediated autoimmunity
MAPK signaling suppresses autoimmunity mediated by the SUMM2 receptor in Arabidopsis. Here Huang et al. show that a trimeric complex consisting of the GPI anchored protein LLG1, and the two receptor-like proteins LET1 and LET2, promotes activation of SUMM2 according to MAPK signaling status.
- Yanyan Huang
- , Chuanchun Yin
- & Ping He
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Article
| Open AccessEvolution of a guarded decoy protease and its receptor in solanaceous plants
Avr2 is an effector secreted by the phytopathogen Cladosporium fulvum to inhibit Rcr3, an apoplastic protease of solanaceous plants. Here the authors show that this interaction predates the emergence of Cf-2, an R-gene that evolved in Solanum to co-opt an existing effector-target reaction and trigger resistance.
- Jiorgos Kourelis
- , Shivani Malik
- & Renier A. L. van der Hoorn
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Article
| Open AccessAn orphan protein of Fusarium graminearum modulates host immunity by mediating proteasomal degradation of TaSnRK1α
Fusarium graminearum is a major fungal pathogen of cereals. Here the authors show that F. graminearum secretes an effector, Osp24, that induces degradation of the wheat TaSnRK1α kinase to promote disease while an orphan wheat protein, TaFROG1, can compete with Osp24 for binding to TaSnRK1α and protect it from degradation
- Cong Jiang
- , Ruonan Hei
- & Jin-Rong Xu
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Article
| Open AccessAn immune receptor complex evolved in soybean to perceive a polymorphic bacterial flagellin
Ralstonia solanacearum evades plant immunity by producing an atypical flagellin protein, thus causing bacterial wilt disease. Here, Wei et al. show that soybean has evolved a divergent flagellin receptor that recognises R. solanacearum flagellin and enhances wilt resistance when transferred to other plants.
- Yali Wei
- , Alexandra Balaceanu
- & Alberto P. Macho
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Article
| Open AccessThe phytopathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum detoxifies plant glucosinolate hydrolysis products via an isothiocyanate hydrolase
Some plants produce toxic isothiocyanates that protect them against pathogens. Here, Chen et al. show that the plant pathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum converts isothiocyanates into non-toxic compounds via glutathione conjugation and, more effectively, via hydrolysis to amines using an isothiocyanate hydrolase.
- Jingyuan Chen
- , Chhana Ullah
- & Daniel G. Vassão
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Article
| Open AccessStructural basis for Ca2+-dependent activation of a plant metacaspase
Plant metacaspases mediate immune response following activation by Ca2+. Here, via crystallography and functional analyses, the authors show that a linker domain in Arabidopsis Metacaspase 4 blocks substrate access to the active site but is cleaved multiple times in the presence of Ca2+ to allow enzyme activation.
- Ping Zhu
- , Xiao-Hong Yu
- & Qun Liu
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Article
| Open AccessA fungal pathogen induces systemic susceptibility and systemic shifts in wheat metabolome and microbiome composition
The fungal plant pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici is a major threat to wheat yield. Here Seybold et al. show that Z. tritici can suppress immune responses not only in infected tissue but also on other leaves, a phenomenon termed “systemic induced susceptibility” that is correlated with systemic changes in metabolite accumulation.
- Heike Seybold
- , Tobias J. Demetrowitsch
- & Eva H. Stukenbrock
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Article
| Open AccessRegulation of reactive oxygen species during plant immunity through phosphorylation and ubiquitination of RBOHD
During plant innate immunity ROS is produced via the NADPH oxidase RBOHD. Here, Lee et al. show that RBOHD protein abundance is regulated through phosphorylation by the PBL13 receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase and via ubiquitination by PIRE, a newly identified E3 ubiquitin ligase.
- DongHyuk Lee
- , Neeraj K. Lal
- & Gitta Coaker
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Article
| Open AccessAn ankyrin-repeat and WRKY-domain-containing immune receptor confers stripe rust resistance in wheat
Wheat stripe rust is a major disease of wheat caused by a fungal pathogen. Here the authors report the map-based cloning of YrU1, a stripe rust resistance gene from Triticum urartu, a diploid progenitor of common wheat, and show it encodes a NLR protein with unusual domain architecture
- Huan Wang
- , Shenghao Zou
- & Dingzhong Tang
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Article
| Open AccessStem rust resistance in wheat is suppressed by a subunit of the mediator complex
Stem rust is an important disease of wheat and resistance present in some cultivars can be suppressed by the SuSr-D1 locus. Here the authors show that SuSr-D1 encodes a subunit of the Mediator Complex and that nonsense mutations are sufficient to abolish suppression and confer stem rust resistance.
- Colin W. Hiebert
- , Matthew J. Moscou
- & Wolfgang Spielmeyer
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Article
| Open AccessA rare gain of function mutation in a wheat tandem kinase confers resistance to powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is a major threat to world wheat yields. Here the authors describe the map-based cloning of Pm24, a gain-of-function powdery mildew resistance allele that encodes a tandem kinase-pseudokinase protein with a deletion in a kinase domain that is endemic to certain wheat landraces.
- Ping Lu
- , Li Guo
- & Zhiyong Liu
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Article
| Open AccessPlant metabolism of nematode pheromones mediates plant-nematode interactions
Small molecules in the rhizosphere regulate interactions between plants and other organisms. Here the authors show that an ascaroside pheromone secreted by plant-parasitic nematodes is converted by host plant peroxisomal β-oxidation into shorter side-chained ascarosides that repel nematodes.
- Murli Manohar
- , Francisco Tenjo-Castano
- & Frank C. Schroeder
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Article
| Open AccessAn effector protein of the wheat stripe rust fungus targets chloroplasts and suppresses chloroplast function
Chloroplasts are important for plant immunity against microbial pathogens. Here Xu et al. identify, in the wheat stripe rust fungus, a haustorium-specific protein that is translocated into chloroplasts and affects chloroplast function by interacting with a putative component of the plant cytochrome b6-f complex.
- Qiang Xu
- , Chunlei Tang
- & Xiaojie Wang
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Article
| Open AccessGlycerol-3-phosphate mediates rhizobia-induced systemic signaling in soybean
Movement of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) promotes systemic resistance following local pathogen infections. Here the authors show that rootward movement of shoot-synthesized G3P occurs in response to root-recognition of incompatible rhizobia and promotes exclusion of non-desirable bacteria in roots.
- M. B. Shine
- , Qing-ming Gao
- & Aardra Kachroo
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Article
| Open AccessA combination of chitooligosaccharide and lipochitooligosaccharide recognition promotes arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in Medicago truncatula
Polysaccharide molecules chitooligosaccharides (COs) and peptidoglycan not only activate plant immunity but also trigger plant symbiosis signalling. Here the authors show that a combination of COs and lipochitooligosaccharides (LCOs) act synergistically to suppress immunity and promote symbiosis to facilitate beneficial fungal associations.
- Feng Feng
- , Jongho Sun
- & Giles E. D. Oldroyd