Summary
This study elucidates the structural basis of sensor-helper NLR communication within plant immune receptor networks by predicting and experimentally validating critical protein interfaces using structural modelling and site-directed mutagenesis. The authors demonstrate that these interfaces are evolutionarily conserved across asterid plants and validate the utility of structure-guided engineering to expand disease resistance specificity in lettuce. The findings support the activation-and-release model of NLR signalling and suggest a path for bioengineering improved disease resistance in economically important crop species.
Regional applicability
While no specific United Kingdom trial data are presented, the structural principles and bioengineering approach are globally applicable. Lettuce is a commercially important horticultural crop in the United Kingdom, and these findings could inform future crop breeding and genetic engineering programmes for disease resistance in UK production systems.
Key measures
NLR protein-protein interface prediction (AlphaFold 3), loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutagenesis, salt bridge reconstitution, cross-species interface conservation, NRC helper compatibility profiles
Outcomes reported
The study identified and validated critical sensor-helper NLR interfaces using structural prediction and mutagenesis, demonstrating conserved communication mechanisms across plant species and enabling structure-guided bioengineering of disease resistance specificity.
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