Structural Basis for flg22-Induced Activation of the <i>Arabidopsis</i> FLS2-BAK1 Immune Complex

TLDR

Plants use the cell‑surface receptor FLS2 to bind bacterial flagellin fragments and trigger defense responses. The study investigates the structural details governing FLS2–BAK1 binding to the flagellin fragment flg22. The authors solved the crystal structure of the FLS2–BAK1–flg22 complex to reveal binding interactions. The complex activates signaling that triggers the plant's innate immune response. Authors: Y.

Abstract

First Defense In defense against bacterial infection, plants carry a cell-surface receptor, known as FLS2, that can bind to a fragment of bacterial flagellin and trigger defense responses. Y. Sun et al. (p. 624 , published online 10 October) investigated the structural details that govern the binding between FLS2, its co-receptor BAK1, and the flagellin fragment flg22. The assembled complex initiates signals to activate the plant's innate immune response.