Speaker: Pro. Chai Jijie, Westlake University

Time: 13:00-14:30 p.m., December 8, 2023, GMT+8

Venue: Deng Youcai Academic Hall, School of Life Sciences, PKU

Abstract: 

Plant nucleotide binding and leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptors play a crucial role in specific recognition of pathogen effectors, triggering defense responses against invading pathogens. NLRs, primarily composed of coiled coil NLRs(CNLs) and toll-interleukin 1 receptor NLRs (TNLs), are central to plant immunity.Until recently, the signaling mechanisms of plant NLRs have remained elusive.However, recent progress has shed light on these mechanisms. The recognition of pathogen effectors, either directly or indirectly, leads to the oligomerization of plant NLRs, resulting in the formation of large protein complexes known as resistosomes. Among these, CNL resistosomes function as calcium-permeable channels, initiating NLR -mediated immunity. Remarkably, the channel activity ofCNLs is evolutionarily conserved. In contrast, TNL resistosomes act as NADase holoenzymes, catalyzing the production of nucleotide-derived small molecules.Structural and biochemical evidence suggests that these small molecules serve as second messengers, activating the assembly and channel activity of resistosomes in helper NLRs, a subgroup of the CNL family. During my presentation, I will delve into our research on plant NLRs, discussing our findings on the assembly of resistosomes in response to pathogen effectors and the convergence of NLR resistosomes on calcium signals.

Source: School of Life Sciences, PKU