Work

Domain-less defenders: evolutionary innovations and agricultural promise of noncanonical NLRs

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Noncanonical nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) genes, which lack typical N-terminal domains, are abundant in plants but their functions remain poorly understood. Two recent studies have cloned members of this family and offer clues into the role of this family in plant immunity. Independently, these workers cloned two noncanonical NLR genes, RMES1A and RMES1B , that confer resistance to the aphid Melanaphis sorghi in sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ). Furthermore, their cognate insect effector MsEF1, a phosphatase-like protein, was identified. These studies establish that NLRs lacking clear functional domains can mediate insect resistance and provide a new genetic resource for engineering pest-resilient crops.

Source: aBIOTECH

DOI: 10.1016/j.abiote.2026.100048

Authors: Zichen Liu, Man Hu, Guozhi Bi

Institutions: China Agricultural University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology

Language: English

Topic: Insect-Plant Interactions and Control

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,190