Publications by authors named "Josephine H R Maidment"

Engineering the plant immune system offers genetic solutions to mitigate crop diseases caused by diverse agriculturally significant pathogens and pests. Modification of intracellular plant immune receptors of the nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptor superfamily for expanded recognition of pathogen virulence proteins (effectors) is a promising approach for engineering disease resistance. However, engineering can cause NLR autoactivation, resulting in constitutive defense responses that are deleterious to the plant.

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A subset of plant intracellular NLR immune receptors detect effector proteins, secreted by phytopathogens to promote infection, through unconventional integrated domains which resemble the effector's host targets. Direct binding of effectors to these integrated domains activates plant defenses. The rice NLR receptor Pik-1 binds the effector AVR-Pik through an integrated heavy metal-associated (HMA) domain.

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Arms race co-evolution drives rapid adaptive changes in pathogens and in the immune systems of their hosts. Plant intracellular NLR immune receptors detect effectors delivered by pathogens to promote susceptibility, activating an immune response that halts colonization. As a consequence, pathogen effectors evolve to escape immune recognition and are highly variable.

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Microbial plant pathogens secrete effector proteins, which manipulate the host to promote infection. Effectors can be recognized by plant intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptors, initiating an immune response. The AVR-Pik effector from the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is recognized by a pair of rice NLR receptors, Pik-1 and Pik-2.

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Higher yield potential and greater yield stability are common targets for crop breeding programs, including those in rice. Despite these efforts, biotic and abiotic stresses continue to impact rice production. Rice blast disease, caused by , is the most devastating disease affecting rice worldwide.

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