The Arabidopsis leucine-rich repeat receptor–like kinase NILR1 is required for induction of innate immunity to parasitic nematodes
S. SIDDIQUE (1), B. Mendy (2), M. Wangombe (2), Z. Radakovic (2), J. Holbein (2), F. Grundler (2), C. Zipfel (3) (1) INRES, Department of Molecular Phytomedicine, University of Bonn, Germany; (2) INRES, Department of Molecular Phytomedicine, University of Bonn, Germany; (3) The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom

Plant-parasitic nematodes are destructive pests causing losses of billions of dollars annually. An effective plant defence against pathogens relies on recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by surface-localised receptors leading to the activation of PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI). However not much is known about the role of PTI in roots in general and in plant-nematode interaction in particular. Here we showed that a nematode aqueous diffusate (NemaWater) contain proteinaceous elicitor(s) capable of inducing PTI in Arabidopsis in a manner dependent on the common immune co-receptor BAK1. The results showed that a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase, termed NILR1, is essential for the induction of immune responses by NemaWater and for immunity to nematodes. Treatment of plants with NemaWater, induces ROS-burst, one of the hallmark responses of PTI and inhibition of growth in Wild-type Arabidopsis plants but not in plants carrying loss-of-function mutations in NILR1 gene. NILR1 knock out mutants were more susceptible to a broad range of nematodes as compared with wild-type control plants. In summary, the identification of NILR1 is a major step forward in understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-nematode interactions. To our knowledge, this is first example of a surface-localised receptor that is involved in nematode perception. The mechanistic details on NILR1-mediated surface perception of nematodes will be presented.

Abstract Number: P17-611
Session Type: Poster