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Submitted to: International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2014 Publication Date: 7/6/2014 Citation: Halterman, D.A. 2014. Molecular determinants of pathogen recognition and defense elicitation in potato [abstract]. International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. Paper No. CS-31.2. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The potato late blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, is able to rapidly evolve to overcome resistance genes. The pathogen accomplishes this by secreting an arsenal of proteins, termed effectors, that function to modify host cells. Although hundreds of candidate effectors have been identified in P. infestans, their roles in pathogenicity or virulence are not well characterized. The potato RB (Rpi-blb1) gene, derived from the wild species Solanum bulbocastanum, confers resistance to most P. infestans strains through recognition of members of the pathogen effector family IPI-O. While the majority of IPI-O proteins are recognized by RB to elicit resistance (e.g. IPI-O1, IPI-O2), some family members are able to elude detection (e.g. IPI-O4). Furthermore, IPI-O4 suppresses the activity of RB by directly interacting with the protein, which likely modifies its ability to elicit host resistance. Molecular analysis has identified two amino acids within the effector and corresponding amino acids the RB protein that mediate effector/R protein interactions. We are currently using this information to develop strategies to combat RB suppression and develop new sources of resistance. |
