Immune perception of bacterial pathogens in plants

University Of California At Davis, Davis CA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The research in this proposal centers on how plants detect and respond to bacterial pathogens through their immune system. Plants are equipped with a complex innate immune system, consisting of genetically encoded immune receptors that can identify various pathogens. These receptors bear structural resemblance to those in animals and include both surface-bound pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and internal nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptors. Plant PRRs, which are either receptor-like kinases or proteins, can detect conserved pathogen or damage-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs/DAMPs). NLR receptors can identify a range of pathogen effector proteins that invade plant cells during infection, leading to programmed cell death at the infection site. Our research will delve into the spatial organization of immune responses, the specificity of immune receptors, and how pathogen variation affects PRR detection. We aim to understand the role of cell death in releasing DAMPs to hinder pathogen spread at the site of infection. Additionally, we will explore how PRR recognition specificity and signaling are regulated, using natural variation as a reference. Our investigation will also cover the effects of variation in pathogen epitopes on immune signaling and PAMP functionality. Through this project, we aim to train emerging scientists and achieve breakthroughs that deepen our comprehension of how initial pathogen detection signals are integrated into an effective defense strategy.