# Immune perception of bacterial pathogens in plants

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2022 · $392,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The research in this proposal focuses on plant immune perception of bacterial pathogens. Plants possess a
sophisticated innate immune system comprised of germline encoded immune receptors capable of recognizing
all pathogen classes. These immune receptors are structurally similar to their animal counterparts and include
surface localized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) as well as intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine rich
repeat (NLR) receptors. Plant immune receptors and downstream signaling nodes are controlled by post-
translational modifications, allowing rapid regulation of the initiation, amplitude, and duration of defense.
Although PRRs and NLRs are structurally distinct and exhibit differences in defense timing and amplitude, they
share significant overlap in posttranslational modification of critical downstream signaling nodes. However, our
data demonstrates that the kinases involved in mediating PRR and NLR responses at key signaling nodes are
distinct. Here, we will investigate mechanisms regulating innate immune signal intensity, signal propagation
and cell specific responses within a leaf. We will analyze the importance of specific protein kinases for
mediating the intensity of NLR-triggered immune responses. We will investigate the role of tandemly arrayed
cysteine rich-receptor like kinases as secondary immune receptors that propagate signals of pathogen
perception. Finally, we will investigate cell specific innate immune responses. This project will train the next
generation of scientists and result in discoveries that lead to a better understanding of how signals of initial
pathogen perception are integrated into an effective defense response within a plant organ.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10348196
- **Project number:** 5R35GM136402-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Gitta Laurel Coaker
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $392,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10348196

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10348196, Immune perception of bacterial pathogens in plants (5R35GM136402-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10348196. Licensed CC0.

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