Wall-associated kinases and the plant immune response

November 10, 2025 @ 12:15 pm to 01:15 pm

Timothy McNellis, Penn State University

108 Wartik Laboratory
University Park

Abstract:
Plant wall-associated kinases (WAKs) are a large family of receptor-like protein kinases situated in the plasma membrane that may be involved in translating a variety of external signals to the plant cell interior. Using genetic diversity resources, genome-wide association studies, and bulked-segregant analysis with whole-genome sequencing, we have determined that specific wall-associated kinases in Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum are required for immune system perception of a broad class of phytopathogenic bacterial proteins called harpins. Harpins trigger the hypersensitive reaction, a programmed cell death defense response, when infiltrated as purified proteins into the leaves of some plants. Our discovery that WAKs are involved in harpin sensing advances our understanding of plant-microbe interactions, including non-host immunity, and suggests some potential applications for disease management.

About the Speaker:
Tim McNellis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology at Penn State University Park.

Contact

Teh-hui Kao
txk3@psu.edu