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The wheat stripe rust resistance gene YrNAM is Yr10
- Katherine Dibley
- , Matthias Jost
- & Peng Zhang
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Article
| Open Access
A pair of atypical NLR-encoding genes confers Asian soybean rust resistance in soybean
Asian soybean rust (ASR) is a devastating disease of soybean. Here, the author report the identification of an atypical pair of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) encoding genes and how they function together to confer broad-spectrum resistance to ASR.
- Qingnan Hao
- , Hongli Yang
- & Xinan Zhou
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Article
| Open Access
A plant NLR receptor employs ABA central regulator PP2C-SnRK2 to activate antiviral immunity
Huang et al. show how plant Sw-5b NLR mimics the ABA receptor to activate ABA-dependent antiviral immunity via the PP2C-SnRK2 complex. They reveal that Sw-5b NLR induces ABA accumulation, upregulates ABA response genes, and triggers defense against viral infections by releasing SnRK2 from PP2C inhibition.
- Shen Huang
- , Chunli Wang
- & Xiaorong Tao
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Article
| Open Access
A membrane associated tandem kinase from wild emmer wheat confers broad-spectrum resistance to powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungal leaf disease that reduces yield and grain quality in susceptible wheat varieties. Here, the authors report the cloning of the wild emmer wheat originated powdery mildew resistance gene Pm36 as a membrane associated tandem kinase and its possible resistance mechanism.
- Miaomiao Li
- , Huaizhi Zhang
- & Zhiyong Liu
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Article
| Open Access
Decoding early stress signaling waves in living plants using nanosensor multiplexing
Upon stress, plants activate a signaling cascade leading to resistance or stress adaptation. Here, Ang & Saju et al. use sensor multiplexing to elucidate the interplay between H2O2 and SA signaling as plants mount stress-specific defense responses.
- Mervin Chun-Yi Ang
- , Jolly Madathiparambil Saju
- & Rajani Sarojam
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Article
| Open Access
Wheat powdery mildew resistance gene Pm13 encodes a mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein
Wheat powdery mildew is one of the most destructive diseases threatening global wheat production. Here, the authors report the cloning of powdery mildew resistance gene Pm13 from the wild wheat species Aegilops longissima encoding a mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) protein.
- Huanhuan Li
- , Wenqiang Men
- & Wenxuan Liu
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Article
| Open Access
PsAF5 functions as an essential adapter for PsPHB2-mediated mitophagy under ROS stress in Phytophthora sojae
ROS is an important defense means against pathogens for host. Here the authors show that PsAF5 functions as a mitophagy adapter and regulates mitochondrial homeostasis in Phytophthora sojae under ROS stress, which is crucial for its infection.
- Wenhao Li
- , Hongwei Zhu
- & Xili Liu
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Article
| Open Access
Discovery of plant chemical defence mediated by a two-component system involving β-glucosidase in Panax species
In this work, the authors discovered that Panax species, the valuable medicinal plants, have evolved a two-component chemical defence system comprising a chloroplast-localized β-glucosidase and 20(S)-protopanaxadiol ginsenosides.
- Li-Juan Ma
- , Xiao Liu
- & Jian-Bo Wan
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Article
| Open Access
Wheat Pm55 alleles exhibit distinct interactions with an inhibitor to cause different powdery mildew resistance
Powdery mildew threatens worldwide wheat production. Here, the authors report the cloning of two powdery mildew resistant Pm55 alleles and show that they exhibit distinct interactions with the inhibitor SuPm55 to cause different resistance.
- Chuntian Lu
- , Jie Du
- & Ruiqi Zhang
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Article
| Open Access
A plant cell death-inducing protein from litchi interacts with Peronophythora litchii pectate lyase and enhances plant resistance
The plant apoplastic space is a critical battlefield in plant-microbe interactions. Here, the authors show that a positive regulator of plant immunity PIP1 recognizes pectate lysates secreted by oomycetes and elicits immunity via SERK3.
- Wen Li
- , Peng Li
- & Zide Jiang
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Article
| Open Access
A papain-like cysteine protease-released small signal peptide confers wheat resistance to wheat yellow mosaic virus
Soil-borne wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) poses a serious threat to global wheat production. Here, the authors report that the nuclear inclusion protease-a produced by WYMV interacts with a small peptide catalyzed by TaRD21A protease activity to mediate WYMV resistance through activating MAPK signaling pathway.
- Peng Liu
- , Chaonan Shi
- & Jian Yang
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Article
| Open Access
Loss-of-function of an α-SNAP gene confers resistance to soybean cyst nematode
Here, the authors show that the soybean GmSNAP02 gene confers a unique mode of resistance to the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines through loss-of-function mutations that implicate GmSNAP02 as a nematode virulence target.
- Mariola Usovsky
- , Vinavi A. Gamage
- & Andrew M. Scaboo
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Article
| Open Access
Polyethyleneimine-coated MXene quantum dots improve cotton tolerance to Verticillium dahliae by maintaining ROS homeostasis
Verticillum wilt is an important cotton disease caused by fungal pathogen Verticillium dahiae. Here, the authors assemble the genomes of defoliating and non-defoliating isolates of the pathogen, identify virulence gene SP3, and develop a disease control strategy using polyethyleneimine-coated MXene quantum dots.
- Ping Qiu
- , Jiayue Li
- & Longfu Zhu
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Article
| Open Access
Single amino acid change alters specificity of the multi-allelic wheat stem rust resistance locus SR9
Among all wheat rust resistance genes, SR9 has the largest number of alleles. Here, the authors use gene cloning, complementation and comparative genetics to resolve the relationship among Sr9 alleles, confirm their allelic identities, and show that a single amino acid change leads to resistance to Ug99.
- Jianping Zhang
- , Jayaveeramuthu Nirmala
- & Evans Lagudah
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Article
| Open Access
A transcriptional activator effector of Ustilago maydis regulates hyperplasia in maize during pathogen-induced tumor formation
Ustilago maydis causes tumor on maize seedlings. Here we show that U. maydis secrets the transcriptional activator effector Sts2 to induce leaf developmental regulators which activate the bundle sheath cell division for tumor formation.
- Weiliang Zuo
- , Jasper R. L. Depotter
- & Gunther Doehlemann
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Article
| Open Access
Endocytosis-mediated entry of a caterpillar effector into plants is countered by Jasmonate
The authors find that cotton bollworms secrete effectors into plant to weaken JA signaling via host endocytosis system while JA inhibits endocytosis to restrict effector imports. The defense and counter-defense loop between effector and JA reflects a robust arms race between plant and insect.
- Zi-Wei Yan
- , Fang-Yan Chen
- & Ying-Bo Mao
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Article
| Open Access
Cloning of the wheat leaf rust resistance gene Lr47 introgressed from Aegilops speltoides
Leaf rust is one of the most severe foliar diseases of wheat. Here, the authors report the cloning of Lr47, a broadly effective leaf rust resistance gene introgressed into wheat from Aegilops speltoides, and show it encodes a coiled-coil nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat protein.
- Hongna Li
- , Lei Hua
- & Shisheng Chen
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Article
| Open Access
High-efficiency green management of potato late blight by a self-assembled multicomponent nano-bioprotectant
Unlike the other plant pathogens, Phytophtora infestans, the causative pathogen of potato late blight, can hardly take up dsRNA, which is a key obstacle in using dsRNA for disease control. Here, the authors design a self-assembled multicomponent nano-bioprotectant for potato late blight management.
- Yuxi Wang
- , Mingshan Li
- & Xiaodan Wang
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Article
| Open Access
A pathogen-induced putative NAC transcription factor mediates leaf rust resistance in barley
Rph7 is a previously mapped barley leaf rust resistance locus, but the causal resistance gene remains unclear. Here, combining a fine mapping approach with RNA-Seq based analysis, the authors clone Rph7 and show it encodes putative NAC transcription factor containing a C-terminal BED domain.
- Chunhong Chen
- , Matthias Jost
- & Peter M. Dracatos
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Article
| Open Access
Divergent sequences of tetraspanins enable plants to specifically recognize microbe-derived extracellular vesicles
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important in plant-microbe interactions. Here we show that the divergent sequences within tetraspanins localized at EV membranes enable plant innate immune system to distinguish between self and non-self EVs.
- Jinyi Zhu
- , Qian Qiao
- & Yuanchao Wang
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Article
| Open Access
DeSUMOylation of a Verticillium dahliae enolase facilitates virulence by derepressing the expression of the effector VdSCP8
Verticillium dahliae, a soil-borne fungal pathogen, causes vascular wilt in a wide variety of economically important crops. This study reveals a sophisticated pathogenic mechanism of VdUlpB-deSUMOylated enolase to facilate fungal virulence by derepressing the expression of the effector VdSCP8.
- Xue-Ming Wu
- , Bo-Sen Zhang
- & Hui-Shan Guo
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Article
| Open Access
Autophagy promotes jasmonate-mediated defense against nematodes
Autophagy plays a critical role in plant immunity. Here the authors show that in tomato, autophagy promotes defense against root-knot nematodes by promoting degradation of negative regulators of jasmonic acid signaling.
- Jinping Zou
- , Xinlin Chen
- & Jie Zhou
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Article
| Open Access
XCP1 cleaves Pathogenesis-related protein 1 into CAPE9 for systemic immunity in Arabidopsis
The protein PR1 is crucial for plant immunity but has unclear bioactivity. Here PR1 is shown to release a phytocytokine CAPE and trigger systemic acquired resistance (SAR) via a caspase-like enzyme specific for CAPE production (ESCAPE).
- Ying-Lan Chen
- , Fan-Wei Lin
- & Yet-Ran Chen
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Article
| Open Access
Differential CaKAN3-CaHSF8 associations underlie distinct immune and heat responses under high temperature and high humidity conditions
The authors reveal a mechanism in understanding the responses to Ralstonia solanacearum in pepper under high temperature and high humidity conditions, that is differential associations between transcription factors mediate distinct immune and heat responses.
- Sheng Yang
- , Weiwei Cai
- & Shuilin He
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Article
| Open Access
The OsSGS3-tasiRNA-OsARF3 module orchestrates abiotic-biotic stress response trade-off in rice
Gu et al. report that the OsSGS3-tasiRNA-OsARF3 module plays an important role in coordinating the trade-off between heat tolerance and disease resistance, which positively regulates thermotolerance but negatively modulates immunity in rice.
- Xueting Gu
- , Fuyan Si
- & Junzhong Liu
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Article
| Open Access
Sequencing trait-associated mutations to clone wheat rust-resistance gene YrNAM
Wheat stripe (yellow) rust is a devastating disease posing a threat to global production. Here, the authors report the cloning of a wheat stripe rust resistance gene encoding a protein with a NAM domain and a ZnF-BED domain using a strategy called sequencing trait-associated mutations (STAM).
- Fei Ni
- , Yanyan Zheng
- & Jiajie Wu
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Article
| Open Access
Generation of the transgene-free canker-resistant Citrus sinensis using Cas12a/crRNA ribonucleoprotein in the T0 generation
Development of canker-resistant citrus cultivars via traditional approaches is a lengthy and laborious process. Here, the authors report the generation of regulatory approval, transgene-free, canker-resistant sweet orange lines using Cas12a/crRNA ribonucleoprotein-based susceptibility gene editing strategy.
- Hang Su
- , Yuanchun Wang
- & Nian Wang
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Article
| Open Access
Convergent evolution of plant pattern recognition receptors sensing cysteine-rich patterns from three microbial kingdoms
Plants have evolved pattern-recognition receptors to perceive pathogens. Here, the authors demonstrate that microbial small cysteine-rich proteins are eminent immune targets that led to convergent evolution of distinct immune receptors in plants.
- Yuankun Yang
- , Christina E. Steidele
- & Andrea A. Gust
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Article
| Open Access
A plant RNA virus inhibits NPR1 sumoylation and subverts NPR1-mediated plant immunity
Salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway restricts the compatible infection of potyviruses. Here, Liu et al. show that potyviral NIb interacts with NPR1, the SA receptor in plants, preventing its sumoylation by SUMO3 and subsequent phosphorylation at Ser11/Ser15. This way, NPR1-mediated immunity is suppressed to promote virus infection.
- Jiahui Liu
- , Xiaoyun Wu
- & Xiaofei Cheng
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Article
| Open Access
Cross-kingdom synthetic microbiota supports tomato suppression of Fusarium wilt disease
Rhizosphere microbiota can influence plant pathogen interactions. Here the authors use field- and lab-based approaches to show that rhizosphere bacteria and fungi of healthy tomatoes can enhance tomato resistance against Fusarium wilt disease and formulate synthetic microbial communities that could help to control soil-borne disease.
- Xin Zhou
- , Jinting Wang
- & Lei Cai
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Article
| Open Access
N6-methyladenosine RNA modification promotes viral genomic RNA stability and infection
Wheat production is threatened by wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV). Here, via genome-wide association study, the authors report that a putative methyltransferase B positively regulates WYMV infection through enhancing viral genomic RNA stability by N6-methyladenosine RNA modification.
- Tianye Zhang
- , Chaonan Shi
- & Jian Yang
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Article
| Open Access
Cloning southern corn rust resistant gene RppK and its cognate gene AvrRppK from Puccinia polysora
Southern corn rust (SCR) caused by Puccinia polysora is a major maize disease that can result in major yield loss. Here, the authors report the expression of a CC-NB-LRR type of R gene RppK results in SCR resistance in susceptible maize lines and it can recognize the effector AvrRppK produced by P. polysora.
- Gengshen Chen
- , Bao Zhang
- & Zhibing Lai
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Article
| Open Access
Identification of positive and negative regulators of antiviral RNA interference in Arabidopsis thaliana
Whether natural variations of plant virus resistance are enriched in genes of RNA interference pathway is unknown. Here, via genome-wide association studies, the authors identify regulators of the RDR6 and DCL2 antiviral pathways are involved in quantitative resistance to cucumber mosaic virus in Arabidopsis.
- Si Liu
- , Meijuan Chen
- & Shou-Wei Ding
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Article
| Open Access
The 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 Access
Aegilops sharonensis genome-assisted identification of stem rust resistance gene Sr62
Aegilops sharonensis is a wild diploid relative of wheat. Here, the authors assemble the genome of Ae. sharonensis and use the assembly as an aid to clone the Ae. sharonensis-derived stem rust resistance gene Sr62 in the allohexaploid genome of wheat.
- Guotai Yu
- , Oadi Matny
- & Brande B. H. Wulff
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Article
| Open Access
Mechanosensory 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 Access
A plant virus satellite RNA directly accelerates wing formation in its insect vector for spread
The cucumber mosaic virus is accompanied by short RNA molecules, satellite RNAs. This study shows that leaves infected with Y-satellite RNA preferentially attract aphids and manipulate aphid physiology to promote their spread to neighbouring plants.
- Wikum H. Jayasinghe
- , Hangil Kim
- & Chikara Masuta
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Article
| Open Access
The 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 Access
MPK3- 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 Access
Arabidopsis 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 Access
Divergent abiotic spectral pathways unravel pathogen stress signals across species
Spectral screening can be used to monitor plant health. Here via airborne hyperspectral imaging of tree species, the authors show that spectral pathways associated with vascular pathogens can be distinguished from those linked to abiotic stress providing the potential for early detection of threatening diseases.
- P. J. Zarco-Tejada
- , T. Poblete
- & J. A. Navas-Cortes
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Article
| Open Access
The 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 Access
Geminiviruses 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 Access
Four chromosome scale genomes and a pan-genome annotation to accelerate pecan tree breeding
Pecan is an important specialty crop that has experienced extensive interspecific hybridization and nearly-obligate outcrossing. Here, the authors assemble diploid genomes of four outbred genotypes, identify interspecific introgressions through comparative genomics analyses, and map QTLs associated with pest resistance.
- John T. Lovell
- , Nolan B. Bentley
- & Jennifer J. Randall
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Article
| Open Access
Pathogen 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 Access
A Bacillus thuringiensis Cry protein controls soybean cyst nematode in transgenic soybean plants
Genetic resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is beginning to decline. Here, the authors report that soybean lines expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis protein Cy14Ab have significant levels of protection from SCN in both greenhouse and field trials.
- Theodore W. Kahn
- , Nicholas B. Duck
- & Julia Daum
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Article
| Open Access
Epidermal 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 Access
S-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 Access
A 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
Arabidopsis SBT5.2 and SBT1.7 subtilases mediate C-terminal cleavage of flg22 epitope from bacterial flagellin