As plants are sessile, they have evolved hundreds of resistance (R) genes to defend themselves against multiple pathogens. Most of plant R genes encode proteins with the nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat (NB-LRR) domains that interact with pathogen effectors to induce defense responses. Recent findings describing R proteins structures, host interactors and transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulators have broadened our understanding of R gene activity regulation. Genome-wide analyses of NB-LRR genes are useful for identifying host and nonhost R genes and elucidating complex resistance mechanisms. This review provides an overview of the functions of identified NB-LRRs and intra- and intermolecular R gene regulators.
Keywords: NB-LRR; autoimmunity; effectors; regulatory mechanism; resistance genes.
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