The maize disease resistance gene <i>Htn1</i> against northern corn leaf blight encodes a wall-associated receptor-like kinase

TLDR

Northern corn leaf blight is a devastating fungal disease of maize, and the Htn1 gene confers quantitative field resistance; wall‑associated receptor‑like kinases (RLKs) are key components of plant innate immunity and often mediate resistance to nonadapted pathogens. The study demonstrates that the maize resistance gene Htn1 encodes a wall‑associated receptor‑like kinase. The Htn1‑RLK was shown to be essential for resistance to adapted fungal pathogens in maize.

Abstract

Significance Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) is one of the most devastating fungal diseases of maize. The Htn1 disease resistance gene confers quantitative field resistance against most NCLB isolates. Here we show that Htn1 encodes a putative wall-associated receptor-like kinase (RLK). RLKs act as important components of the first tier of the plant innate immune system by perceiving pathogen- or host-derived elicitors on the cell surface. RLKs are often associated with resistance to nonadapted pathogens and are a component of nonhost resistance. Our work demonstrates that the Htn1-RLK plays an important role in host resistance against adapted fungal pathogens.