Sub-project D04: Plant receptor kinases as targets of microbial effectors
Principle Investigator
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Nürnberger
Universität Tübingen
ZMBP, Pflanzenbiochemie
Auf der Morgenstelle 5, 72076 Tübingen
Tel 07071 - 29 76658
Fax 07071 - 29 5226
nuernberger@zmbp.uni-tuebingen.de
Universität Tübingen
Interfakultäres Institut für Biochemie (IFIB)
Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 4, 72076 Tübingen
Tel 07071 - 29 73043
Fax 07071 - 29 5565
Summary
Host-adapted microorganisms have evolved mechanisms to suppress host plant immunity. TP D04 investigates how the bacterial effector AvrPto suppresses host plant immunity through binding to the cytoplasmic kinase domains of selected receptor kinases. Structural determinants for effector binding cannot be deduced from comparing primary sequences of plant receptor kinases. Thus, to elucidate structural features supporting AvrPto binding, receptor-effector binding affinities will be determined and receptor-effector complexes will be analyzed by means of X-ray crystallography.