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Cited by 1Powdery Mildew Fungal DiseasesWheat and Barley Genetics and PathologyPlant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity

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Dual recognition of structurally unrelated mildew effectors underlies the broad-spectrum resistance of Pm3e in wheat

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Kunz, Lukas, Bernasconi, Zoe, Heuberger, Matthias, Isaksson, Jonatan, Sotiropoulos, Alexandros G., Stirnemann, Ursin, Jigisha, Jigisha, Menardo, Fabrizio, Wicker, Thomas, Müller, Marion C., Keller, Beat·2026·Nature Communications
DOI 10.1038/s41467-026-72199-wPMC PMC13342611

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Abstract

Broad-spectrum resistance genes are highly valuable for sustainable crop protection, yet the molecular basis of their activity is often unknown. The Pm3 allelic series in wheat encodes NLR receptors that recognize avirulence (AVR) effectors of wheat powdery mildew. Here, we show that near-identical Pm3 alleles vary greatly in resistance efficacy and broadness against a global mildew isolate collection and subsequently use this model system to study the mechanisms underlying broad-spectrum resistance. We demonstrate that two alleles, Pm3d and Pm3e , provide resistance against most isolates worldwide, by each recognizing two AVR genes, thereby lowering the risk of resistance breakdown. Pm3d recognizes two highly similar RNase-like AVRs, encoded by gene paralogs. In contrast, Pm3e detects two structurally diverse AVRs: one shared with Pm3d, the other originating from a large, uncharacterized protein family with a discrete structural fold. Using chimeric Pm3 NLRs, we identify specificity-defining polymorphisms of Pm3d and Pm3e against their diverse effector targets. Lastly, we demonstrate that Pm3d and Pm3e activities can be combined in engineered Pm3 NLRs, thereby further extending their recognition spectrum. Our findings highlight the potential of Pm3 immune receptors for long-lasting wheat protection by demonstrating their versatility in recognizing structurally diverse effectors and their amenability to NLR engineering.

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Metadata

Authors
Kunz, L., Bernasconi, Z., Heuberger, M., Isaksson, J., Sotiropoulos, A. G., Stirnemann, U., Jigisha, J., Menardo, F., Wicker, T., Müller, M. C., & Keller, B.
Affiliations
  • University of Zurich (CH)
  • University of Southern Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
  • Kunz, Lukas
  • Müller, Marion C.
  • Keller, Beat
ORCID
Venue
Nature Communications
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2026-05-02
Volume
17
Issue
1
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41467-026-72199-w
PMC
PMC13342611
OpenAlex
W4415560080
Cited by
1
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 1
FWCI
3.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
Funders
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (543878450)
  • Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (PZ00P3_193473, 310030B_182833, 310030_204165)
  • University of Zurich core funding and by the Research Priority Program “Evolution in Action” of the University of Zurich
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Powdery Mildew Fungal Diseases
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Wheat and Barley Genetics and Pathology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
Keywords
wheat powdery mildew, avirulence effectors, NLR immune receptors, broad-spectrum disease resistance, gene paralogs, resistance breakdown, wheat disease resistance
MeSH terms
NLR Proteins, Alleles, Ascomycota, Plant Diseases, Plant Proteins, Triticum, Disease Resistance

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