[Chih-Hang Wu] The expansion of a complex plant immune receptor network
POST:
NRC immune receptor networks show diversified hierarchical genetic architecture across plant lineages
Plants use nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins (NLRs) to recognize pathogens. In solanaceous plants, the NRC (NLR required for cell death) family forms a complex network with helper and sensor NLRs to resist pathogens. However, the evolution and function of NRC networks outside solanaceous plants are unclear. Our phylogenomic analysis of NLRs across asterid lineages showed significant expansion of NRC networks in most lamiids, but not in Ericales and campanulids. Transient expression assays in Nicotiana benthamiana validated simple NRC network architectures in Ericales and campanulids, but complex architectures in lamiids. Phylogenetic analysis identified three conserved NRC0 subclades and several lamiid-specific NRC subclades with diversifying selection. Functional analyses showed that members of the NRC0 subclades across plant lineages are partially interchangeable, whereas lamiid-specific NRCs lack interchangeability. Our findings highlight the distinct evolutionary pattern of NRC networks in asterids and provide potential insights into transferring disease resistance across plant lineages.
The first author Foong-Jing Goh is a PhD student in the TIGP-MBAS program.