Role of Arabidopsis resistance proteins and Pseudomonas syringae effector proteins in hostmicrobe interactions

Abstract

The plant Arabidopsis can be infected by several pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The plant reacts on the infections by pathogens by inducing a pathogen-associated molecular patterns induced immune response (PTI). This response can be evaded by bacteria that secrete specific effector protein via a type III secretion system. Bacteria that can evade the PTI are known as the true pathogens. Effector proteins alter several cellular processes in the plant. Plants have evolved resistance proteins as a reaction on the effector proteins. Once the effector protein is recognized by the resistance protein the effector triggered immunity is activated. Furthermore, plants can prime cells on a distance to be prepared for the bacterium. The exact working mechanism of the resistance proteins is not yet fully understood. In this thesis the plant immune system will be briefly introduced, followed by the working mechanism of the effector proteins of the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae and the resistance proteins.