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Concurrent Session

Session: Concurrent Session: Extracellular & Intracellular non-self recognition & signaling (1)

Dual ligand receptor that mediates immunity and hormonal response in potato is targeted by parasitic nematode effector

Monday, July 14, 2025
16:25 - 16:35  
Location: Room M+N

Abstract Text: Cell surface receptors are generally thought to recognize either one specific ligand or a group of structurally similar ligands. We discovered that the potato (Solanum tuberosum) pattern recognition receptor NEMATODE-INDUCED LRR-RLK1 (StNILR1) acts as a dual receptor for the nematode-associated molecular pattern ascaroside#18 (Ascr18) and phytohormone brassinosteroid (BR). StNILR1 can initiate two distinct physiological pathways—pattern triggered immunity (PTI) and BR response—after interacting with either ligand. Downstream responses for both PTI and BR rely on the formation of a membrane localized complex between StNILR1 and coreceptor StBAK1, and this interaction is enhanced by Ascr18 and BR. The agriculturally devastating potato cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) produces a ubiquitin ligase effector (RHA1B) that targets StNILR1 for proteasomal degradation, counteracting the Ascr18/BR-triggered PTI response in potato. This reveals a G. pallida parasitic strategy that interferes with PTI via targeting the immune receptor. Altogether, these discoveries indicate that StNILR1-mediated immunity can be triggered by at least two dissimilar ligands, and G. pallida has evolved a parasitic strategy to specifically target this pathway. All findings were validated by production and characterization of transgenic potato plants via accepted molecular techniques. Ongoing research is focused on uncovering the mechanism by which the StNILR1-StBAK1 complex triggers PTI response in potato.