Evolution and activation mechanism of Paired NLR Immunoreceptors

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H02988
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 39040:Plant protection science-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Kawano Yoji 岡山大学, 資源植物科学研究所, 教授 (00406175)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: NLR免疫受容体 / イネ / 進化 / 遺伝子重複

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is not well understood what evolutionary process plant NLR genes have gone through to acquire new functions and contribute to plant immunity. This study indicates that the rice blast fungus NLR immune receptor Pit1 and its paralog Pit2 underwent characteristic events known as "paralog suppression" and "neofunctionalization" that are seen after gene duplication. These two events suggest make Pit1 and Pit2 function as a paired NLR protein serving as a single immune receptor. This study has advanced the understanding of the evolutionary process that gave rise to paired NLR immune receptors, which are a central system of plant immunity.

Free Research Field

植物保護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

NLRは、病原菌だけにとどまらず、害虫やウイルスの認識にも関わる重要な受容体であり、本研究で得られる基礎的な知見は、育種学、植物病理学、害虫学に渡る農学研究に広く意義のある成果が得られることが期待される。本研究が推進されれば、より多くの病原菌を認識する人工センサーNLRの開発が可能となり、病害虫による食糧に対する被害を最小限にし、人類の健康の増進に貢献できる。