Novel receptor-like kinases in cacao contain PR-1 extracellular domains

Author(s)

Pereira Lima Teixeira, Paulo Jose ^[1] ; Lacerda Costa, Gustavo Gilson ^[1] ; Fiorin, Gabriel Lorencini ^[1] ; Guimaraes Pereira, Goncalo Amarante ^[1] ; Costa Mondego, Jorge Mauricio ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas Unicamp, Inst Biol, Dept Genet Evolucao & Bioagentes, Lab Genom & Expressao, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Ctr Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento Recursos Genet Veg, IAC, BR-13075630 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY; v. 14, n. 6, p. 602-609, AUG 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Members of the pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR-1) family are well-known markers of plant defence responses, forming part of the arsenal of the secreted proteins produced on pathogen recognition. Here, we report the identification of two cacao (Theobroma cacaoL.) PR-1s that are fused to transmembrane regions and serine/threonine kinase domains, in a manner characteristic of receptor-like kinases (RLKs). These proteins (TcPR-1f and TcPR-1g) were named PR-1 receptor kinases (PR-1RKs). Phylogenetic analysis of RLKs and PR-1 proteins from cacao indicated that PR-1RKs originated from a fusion between sequences encoding PR-1 and the kinase domain of a LecRLK (Lectin Receptor-Like Kinase). Retrotransposition marks surround TcPR-1f, suggesting that retrotransposition was involved in the origin of PR-1RKs. Genes with a similar domain architecture to cacao PR-1RKs were found in rice (Oryza sativa), barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) and a nonphototrophic bacterium (Herpetosiphon aurantiacus). However, their kinase domains differed from those found in LecRLKs, indicating the occurrence of convergent evolution. TcPR-1g expression was up-regulated in the biotrophic stage of witches' broom disease, suggesting a role for PR-1RKs during cacao defence responses. We hypothesize that PR-1RKs transduce a defence signal by interacting with a PR-1 ligand. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/07657-2 - PR-1 proteins and new receptor like kinases of cacao (Theobroma cacao): gene expression evaluation and search for ligands
• Grantee: Jorge Maurício Costa Mondego
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/50119-9 - Integrated and comparative study of three fungal diseases of cacao: witches' broom, frosty pod rot and brown-rot, aiming at understanding the pathogenic mechanisms for the development of control strategies
• Grantee: Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants