In-Silico elucidation of the three-dimensional molecular structures defining the resistance mechanism by NBS-LRR proteins towards foliar blast disease elicitins in pearl millet

Abstract: Foliar blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr, forms one of the worst scourge for pearl millet recently. Resistant lines recognizes molecular signature of pathogen infection (Avr gene products) and triggers downstream response signaling pathways in host plants through activation of Resistance (R) proteins, that works as a molecular switch for pathogen defence signalling and represent one of the largest plant gene family. Hence, understanding molecular structure and function of R proteins has been of paramount importance for plant biologists. The present study aimed at predicting three-dimensional structure of Resistance gene candidate (RGCs) protein RGPM 213 through ab-initio method of protein modeling. The structured protein models were further validated for structure and function and determine the ADP ligand binding site on the molecule through bioinformatics software. Availability of 3D structural model for NBS and other domains in RGCs will help in getting deeper insight in these pathogen defense genes, thereby manipulating them by site directed mutation or protein engineering to increase its efficacy towards the fight against pearl millet blast and other pathogens. Conference Details: 1st National Genetic Congress on Genetics for Sustainable Food, Health and Nutrition Security. ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.   Publication date: 2018/12/14 </p