Scientists have discovered key proteins that help tomatoes fight off bacterial infections.
Why it matters: This research could revolutionize how we protect crops from diseases. Understanding plant immune systems is crucial for developing more resilient food crops and reducing crop losses.
- Plant diseases cost billions in agricultural losses annually, with Pseudomonas syringae being a major threat to tomato crops.
Key finding: Two helper proteins, Nrc2 and Nrc3, play an essential role in tomato immune response against bacterial pathogens.
“Our work sheds light on how plants defend themselves – a topic of immense importance in agriculture.”
Dr. Ning Zhang, post-doctoral researcher at the Boyce Thompson Institute and lead author
The process:
- Used CRISPR technology to create tomato plants lacking Nrc2 and Nrc3 proteins
- Tested plants’ response to bacterial infection
- Mapped the proteins’ role in immune system signaling
Keep in mind: While the mutant plants appeared normal under typical conditions, they showed increased vulnerability to bacterial infection.
Real-world impact: This discovery could lead to:
- More disease-resistant crop varieties
- Reduced pesticide use
- Improved food security
- Better agricultural sustainability
- The findings provide a blueprint for engineering stronger plant immune systems across various crop species.
TL;DR
- Scientists identified crucial proteins (Nrc2 and Nrc3) that help tomatoes fight off bacterial infections.
- The research used CRISPR technology to prove these proteins’ essential role in plant immunity.
- This breakthrough could lead to more resilient crops and improved food security.
Read the Paper
Helper NLRs Nrc2 and Nrc3 act codependently with Prf/Pto and activate MAPK signaling to induce immunity in tomato