A better understanding of the immune system ...

Immune system of plants protects plants from harmful pathogens. If the system responds to pathogens may retard plant growth and reduce seed production. Now researchers at the University of Missouri found important suppressors that negatively regulate the immune response in Arabidopsis THALIANA species. Understanding the immune system of plants will allow breeders to create a better yield of crops. "The immune system provides plants with strong protection lasix no prescritpion against pathogens, said Walter Gassmann, associate professor of plant sciences in the MU Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center and College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. "However, this reaction has the potential to be very harmful to plants and should be under strict control. Some suppressors protect plants respond to innocuous stimuli and too emotional to respond to pathogens. If there is a mutation in these suppressors, the immune system can actually do more harm than good. "

So plant pathogens battle through effector triggered immunity (ETI), which relies on detection of pathogen effector proteins (proteins that appear to interfere with plant pathogenic immune system). After detection of pathogen-specific proteins in plants, known as resistance proteins, causing effective protection measures. Protein resistance of plants regulated by suppressors to achieve minimal side effects to the plant, while ensuring optimal response to pathogens. However, when ETI excessively activated, it can lead to stunted growth and reduced grain production. In the study, researchers examined the MU plants with genetic mutations, resulting in increased plant immunity. Having studied this mutation, the researchers were able to identify specific genetic components that may negatively regulate the immune system and thereby promote appropriate immune response. "Total control effector triggered signaling is poorly understood," said Hassman. "A better understanding of the immune system will enable us to grow plants with a strong defense against pathogens. "Research

Gassmann was published recently in the Journal of plants and plant signaling and behavior. Documents were co-authored with former doctoral researcher after Soon Il Kwon, current graduate student Sang Hee Kim, the current post-doctoral researcher Saikat Bhattacharjee and former visiting scholar Jae-Yong But. Source:.