Characterization of the two receptor-kinases SOBIR1/EVR and BAK1 as co-receptors of the receptor-like protein RLP30 from Arabidopsis thaliana

• Applicant: Dr. Andrea A. Gust
• Subject Area: Organismic Interactions, Chemical Ecology and Microbiomes of Plant Systems
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 255705282

Plants have adapted defence mechanisms to resist microbial infection. Binding of microbial ligands to transmembrane receptors that are located at the cell surface trigger intracellular re-programming eventually leading to restriction of pathogen growth. We have associated one member of the Arabidopsis leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor-like proteins, RLP30, with a specific function as pattern recognition receptor for a novel elicitor activity from the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Moreover, we have identified the two leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases BAK1 and SOBIR1/EVR as putative co-receptors of RLP30. The general objectives of this project will be to decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying RLP30-mediated pattern recognition and the subsequent signal transduction via the RLP30-BAK1-SOBIR1/EVR receptor machinery. Unravelling the mode of action of RLP30/BAK1/SOBIR1-mediated pattern perception will deepen our mechanistic understanding on SOBIR1/EVR as novel co-receptor for LRR-type receptor-like proteins and will broaden our knowledge on how plants adapt to a detrimental biotic environment.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants