Understanding NLR Function and Biology
J. DANGL (1) (1) HHMI and UNC-Chapel Hill, U.S.A.

The first plant NLRs were cloned in 1994 and in the ensuing twenty odd years, we have learned a tremendous amount about how they function and evolve. We have recently seen genomics-based breakthroughs in marker-directed breeding and rapid isolation of agronomically useful NLRs encoding new disease resistance specificities against serious agronomic threats. However, there is much more to understand before we can build novel NLRs with predicted, long lived field activity. Our group works on various aspects of NLR biology: We continue to explore how bacterial type III effectors activate NLRs guarding RIN4 protein at the plasma membrane; we are exploring two decoy-NLR fusions with the aim to expand their repertoire; we discovered a novel ‘minimal TIR’ fragment that meets the genetic definition of a disease resistance gene; and we are engaged in a collaborative project to understand the evolution of NLR repertoires. Current progress will be detailed. Our work on NLRs is funded by the NSF and the HHMI.


Abstract Number: P1-1
Session Type: Plenary