Publications [#358327] of Zhen-Ming Pei

Papers Published

1. Jacob, P; Kim, NH; Wu, F; El-Kasmi, F; Chi, Y; Walton, WG; Furzer, OJ; Lietzan, AD; Sunil, S; Kempthorn, K; Redinbo, MR; Pei, Z-M; Wan, L; Dangl, JL, Plant "helper" immune receptors are Ca²⁺-permeable nonselective cation channels., Science (New York, N.Y.), vol. 373 no. 6553 (July, 2021), pp. 420-425 [doi]
   (last updated on 2026/01/16)

   Abstract:
   Plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) regulate immunity and cell death. In Arabidopsis, a subfamily of "helper" NLRs is required by many "sensor" NLRs. Active NRG1.1 oligomerized, was enriched in plasma membrane puncta, and conferred cytoplasmic calcium ion (Ca²⁺) influx in plant and human cells. NRG1.1-dependent Ca²⁺ influx and cell death were sensitive to Ca²⁺ channel blockers and were suppressed by mutations affecting oligomerization or plasma membrane enrichment. Ca²⁺ influx and cell death mediated by NRG1.1 and ACTIVATED DISEASE RESISTANCE 1 (ADR1), another helper NLR, required conserved negatively charged N-terminal residues. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings demonstrated that Arabidopsis helper NLRs form Ca²⁺-permeable cation channels to directly regulate cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ levels and consequent cell death. Thus, helper NLRs transduce cell death signals directly.