M. P. Contreras

Activation of plant immunity through conversion of a helper NLR homodimer into a resistosome

This study shows how the helper NLR NRC2 converts from a homodimer to a higher-order oligomer upon activation by the sensor NLR Rx, revealing the molecular mechanism of plant immune activation.

The nucleotide binding domain of NRC-dependent disease resistance proteins is sufficient to activate downstream helper NLR oligomerization and immune signaling

The NRC0 gene cluster of sensor and helper NLR immune receptors is functionally conserved across asterid plants

The paper investigates the functional conservation of the NRC0 gene cluster across asterid plants and shows its role in immune responses.

Resurrection of plant disease resistance proteins via helper NLR bioengineering

A helper NLR is mutated to evade inhibition by a parasite effector, restoring disease resistance gene activity.

Disentangling the complex gene interaction networks between rice and the blast fungus identifies a new pathogen effector

Effector-dependent activation and oligomerization of NRC helper NLRs by Rpi-amr3 and Rpi-amr1

This study shows that sensor NLRs Rpi-amr3 and Rpi-amr1 activate the helper NLR NRC2 to form a resistosome in response to Phytophthora effectors.

Sensor NLR immune proteins activate oligomerization of their NRC helper

The paper shows that activation of plant NLRs Rx and Bs2 leads to oligomerization of the helper NLR NRC2, suggesting a distinct activation model compared to mammalian paired NLRs.

The helper NLR immune protein NRC3 mediates the hypersensitive cell death caused by the cell-surface receptor Cf-4

The paper identifies NRC3 as an NLR protein required for hypersensitive cell death triggered by the PRR Cf-4 in response to the fungal effector Avr4.

Plant pathogens convergently evolved to counteract redundant nodes of an NLR immune receptor network

The paper identifies effectors from plant pathogens that specifically target subsets of NRC immune receptor proteins, revealing convergent strategies to counteract redundant nodes in the NLR network.

Two NLR immune receptors acquired high-affinity binding to a fungal effector through convergent evolution of their integrated domain

The paper reconstructs the evolutionary history of rice NLR receptors Pik-1 and Pik-2, showing their HMA domain evolved convergent high-affinity binding to the fungal effector AVR-PikD.

Host-interactor screens of Phytophthora infestans RXLR proteins reveal vesicle trafficking as a major effector-targeted process

This study identifies host processes targeted by Phytophthora infestans RXLR effectors through protein-protein interaction screens, revealing vesicle trafficking as a major effector-targeted process.