Molecular characterisation of the interaction between the race-specific elicitor avr4 of cladosporium fulvum and its receptor in tomato

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.

Project objective

Research objectives and content The interaction between the fungus Cladosporium fulvum and its host tomato, provides an excellent model system to study the 'gene-for-gene' concept. The C. fulvum avirulence gene, Avr4, has been cloned and its product shown to induce a hypersensitive response (HR) in tomato genotypes that contain resistance gene Cf4. The aim of this proposal is to perform a structurefunction analyses on the AVR4 protein in order to determine the mechanism by which AVR4 interacts with its putative receptor in tomato. Constructs in which part of the Avr4 ORF is deleted will be expressed in Cf4 tomato genotypes, using the potato virus X expression system. Induction of HR will reveal which domains of the AVR4 protein are required for recognition by the host. Subsequent overproduction and radioactive labelling of active AVR4 peptides will allow the characterisation of putative AVR4 receptor sites in host cells. Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) This project will provide training in gene manipulation and protein analysis techniques. In addition, important biological questions regarding pathogen recognition and induction of host defense responses in a gene-for-gene system will be addressed. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22) Elucidating molecular mechanisms by which plants recognise invading pathogens and activate defence processes is essential to allow molecular resistance breeding to a wide range of pathogens.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY · WAGENINGENCoordinatorNetherlands
• Not availableCity levelUnited Kingdom

Links

• View on CORDIS