Lysm receptor-like kinases to improve plant defense response against fungal pathogens

Abstract

Perception of chitin fragments (chitooligosaccharides) is an important first step in plant defense response against fungal pathogen. LysM receptor-like kinases (LysM RLKs) are instrumental in this perception process. LysM RLKs also play a role in activating transcription of chitin-responsive genes (CRGs) in plants. Mutations in the LysM kinase receptor genes or the downstream CRGs may affect the fungal susceptibility of a plant. Mutations in LysM RLKs or transgenes carrying the same may be beneficial in imparting resistance against fungal pathogens.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transgenic plant comprising a transgene, said transgene having substantial sequence similarity to a LysM receptor kinase family gene. 
     
     
         2 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the LysM receptor kinase family gene is selected from the group consisting of polynucleotides of SEQ ID Nos. 1-2 and 4-6. 
     
     
         3 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the LysM receptor kinase family gene has a coding sequence that is at least 95% identical to the coding sequence of the polynucleotide of SEQ ID No. 6. 
     
     
         4 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the LysM receptor kinase family gene is selected from the group consisting of polynucleotides of SEQ ID Nos. 54-95. 
     
     
         5 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant is soybean. 
     
     
         6 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant is  Arabidopsis thaliana.    
     
     
         7 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 1  wherein the LysM receptor kinase family gene encodes a functional LysM receptor kinase. 
     
     
         8 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one regulatory sequence operably linked to said LysM receptor kinase family gene or fragment, said regulatory sequence controlling the expression level of the LysM receptor kinase family gene or fragment. 
     
     
         9 . A plant comprising a LysM receptor kinase family gene having at least one mutation, said mutated gene being derived from an endogenous LysM receptor kinase family gene. 
     
     
         10 . The plant of  claim 9 , wherein the mutated LysM receptor kinase family gene encodes a LysM receptor kinase with a mutation selected from the group consisting of amino acid substitution, deletion and insertion. 
     
     
         11 . The plant of  claim 9 , wherein the mutation of the LysM receptor kinase family gene alters the expression level of the encoded LysM receptor kinase in said plant. 
     
     
         12 . A method for protecting a plant from fungal infection, comprising the step of introducing into said plant a transgene, said transgene having substantial sequence similarity to a LysM receptor kinase family gene or fragment thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of expressing a LysM receptor kinase encoded by said transgene. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the LysM receptor kinase family gene is selected from the group consisting of polynucleotides of SEQ ID Nos. 1-2 and 4-6. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the LysM receptor kinase family gene has a coding sequence that is at least 95% identical to the coding sequence of the polynucleotide of SEQ ID No. 6. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the LysM receptor kinase family gene is selected from the group consisting of polynucleotides of SEQ ID Nos. 54-95. 
     
     
         17 . A method for preventing fungal infection, comprising the step of generating the plant of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the plant is soybean. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the plant is  Arabidopsis thaliana.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the LysM receptor kinase family gene is selected from the group consisting of polynucleotides of SEQ ID Nos. 1-2, 4-6 and 54-95.