Understanding the molecular function of plant disease resistance proteins, pathogen effectors and their interaction to protect Australian agriculture (2012-2015)
Abstract
Effector-triggered immunity is a key mechanism by which plants detect invading pathogens and trigger immune responses. In this process, a pathogen effector (avirulence) protein is recognized by a plant resistance protein. Based on our ongoing genetic, biochemical and structural work on the flax-rust model pathosystem, we propose a mechanistic model of this process, which we will test through biochemical interaction analysis, mutagenesis and structural biology approaches proposed here. The new knowledge will enable the manipulation of the resistance response by engineering effective resistance genes and address the economic and environmental implications of plant diseases for agricultural crop plant productivity.