A gain of function mutation in SlNRC4a enhances basal immunity resulting in broad-spectrum disease resistance

Lorena Pizarro, Meirav Leibman-Markus, Rupali Gupta, Neta Kovetz, Ilana Shtein, Einat Bar, Rachel Davidovich-Rikanati, Raz Zarivach, Efraim Lewinsohn, Adi Avni, Maya Bar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Plants rely on innate immunity to perceive and ward off microbes and pests, and are able to overcome the majority of invading microorganisms. Even so, specialized pathogens overcome plant defenses, posing a persistent threat to crop and food security worldwide, raising the need for agricultural products with broad, efficient resistance. Here we report a specific mutation in a tomato (S. lycopersicum) helper nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat H-NLR, SlNRC4a, which results in gain of function constitutive basal defense activation, in absence of PRR activation. Knockout of the entire NRC4 clade in tomato was reported to compromise Rpi-blb2 mediated immunity. The SlNRC4a mutant reported here possesses enhanced immunity and disease resistance to a broad-spectrum of pathogenic fungi, bacteria and pests, while lacking auto-activated HR or negative effects on plant growth and crop yield, providing promising prospects for agricultural adaptation in the war against plant pathogens that decrease productivity.

Original languageEnglish
Article number404
JournalCommunications Biology
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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