Plants have evolved two tiers of immune receptors to detect infections: cell surface-resident PRRs sensing microbial signatures and intracellular nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins recognizing pathogen effectors. We have developed sensitive genetic screens to identify Arabidopsis Genes Governing Immune gene Expression (AGGIEs) that regulate plant PRR- and/or NLR-mediated immunity. Genetic and biochemical analyses of AGGIEs have revealed the importance of gene transcriptional, posttranscriptional, translational, and posttranslational regulations in plant innate immunity. In particular, we have revealed an essential, but less characterized posttranslational modification protein ADP-ribosylation in plant immunity, and uncovered a molecular link between PRR and NLR protein complexes through cell surface-resident malectin-like domain receptor-like kinases.
Key references:
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