Receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase-mediated activation of MAPK cascade in plant immunity

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H02489
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied molecular and cellular biology
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: Kawasaki Tsutomu 近畿大学, 農学部, 教授 (90283936)
• Research Collaborator: Yamaguchi Koji ; Kojima Chojiro
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 植物免疫 / 受容体 / RLCK / MAPKKK / MAPK

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Plants recognize pathogen infection by cell-surface receptors-mediated perception of pathogen associated molecular patterns, which results in intracellular activation of MAPK cascade. Subsequently, MAPKs induce a variety of defense responses. However, how MAPK cascades are activated downstream of the receptor had not been identified. In this study, we found that the receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase PBL27 connects chitin receptor and a MAPK cascade, providing a model of the MAPK activation induced by pathogen recognition.

Free Research Field

植物分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

植物の細胞膜上に存在する多数の受容体は、細胞外に存在する病原菌、ホルモン、分泌性ペプチドを検知し、細胞内のMAPKカスケードを介して、防御応答や形態形成など様々な生体反応を誘導するが、その分子機構は不明であった。本研究成果によって提唱した「RLCKによるMAPKKKの活性化のモデル」は、植物において普遍的であり、形態形成など、植物免疫研究以外の研究にも波及効果をもたらし、作物育種の有用な基盤情報として期待される。