Plant immunity; more discoveries (Introduction)

by David Turell , Saturday, May 21, 2022, 17:05 (916 days ago) @ David Turell

The latest study:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220520132832.htm

"Key players in these plant immune responses are so-called immune receptors, which detect the presence of molecules delivered by foreign microorganisms and set in motion protective responses to repel the invaders.

"A subset of these immune receptors harbours specialized regions known as toll-interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domains and function as enzymes, special proteins that break down the molecule nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a highly abundant, multi-functional small molecule found in all living cells. Breakdown of NAD+, in turn, activates additional immune proteins, ultimately culminating in the so-called "hypersensitive response," a protective mechanism that leads to the death of plant cells at sites of attempted infection as an effective way to protect the plant as whole. However, studies have shown that breakdown of NAD+, while essential, is not sufficient for plant protection, suggesting that additional mechanisms must be involved.

***

"Using structural analysis, the authors could show that TIR proteins form different multi-protein structures for breakdown of NAD+ or RNA/DNA, explaining how one and the same protein can carry out two roles. To cleave the RNA/DNA molecules, the TIR proteins follow the contours of the RNA/DNA strands and wind tightly around them like pearls on a string. The ability of TIR proteins to form two alternative molecular complexes is a characteristic of the entire immune receptor family. The exact shape of the TIR proteins thus dictates the respective enzyme activity. (my bold)

***

"Using analytical chemistry, the scientists could identify the molecules as cAMP/cGMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate/cyclic guanosine monophosphate), so-called cyclic nucleotides that are present in all kingdoms of life. Intriguingly, rather than the well-characterized 3',5'-cAMP/cGMP, the authors analysis showed that the TIR domains were triggering the production of the so-called non-canonical 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP, enigmatic "cousins," whose precise roles have thus far been unclear. When they reduced TIR-mediated production of 2’,3’-cAMP/cGMP, cell death activity was impaired, demonstrating that the 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP molecules are important for the plant immune response. (my bold)

"If 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP promote cell death in plants in response to infection, then it stands to reason that their levels would be kept tightly in check. Indeed, the authors discovered that a known negative regulator of TIR function in plants, NUDT7, acts by depleting 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP. Similar negative regulators are released by certain pathogenic microorganisms during infection inside plant cells, and the scientists could show that these pathogen proteins also deplete 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP. This suggests that invading microorganisms have evolved clever strategies to disarm the 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP-dependent plant defence mechanism for their own benefit." (my bold)

Comment: note the comments about the universality of these immunity molecules. This is a clear demonstration of the relationships in the biochemical continuity of evolution. One of my bolds shows any process that produces a dangerous process as initiating cell death must have tight controls. To have this properly designed, it is obvious the process for death and its controls must be designed all at once, never stepwise. Another amazing aspect (in bold)is
shape shifting molecules control enzyme activity. Not by chance.