Functional analysis of plant disease resistance genes and their downstream effectors.
Plant disease resistance (R) genes encode proteins that both determine recognition of specific pathogen-derived avirulence (Avr) proteins and initiate signal transduction pathways leading to complex defense responses. Recent developments suggest that recognition specificity of R proteins is determined by either a protein kinase domain or by a region consisting of leucine-rich repeats. R genes conferring resistance to bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens appear to use multiple signaling pathways, some of which involve distinct proteins and others which converge upon common downstream effectors. Manipulation of R genes and their signaling pathways by transgenic expression is a promising strategy to improve disease resistance in plants.
Martin
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Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14853-1801, USA. gbm7@cornell.edu
D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D017343:Genes, Plant; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D010940:Plant Proteins; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases