Science· 2026Q1
Structural basis for size-selective perception of chitin in plants
- 1citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Researchers elucidated the structural mechanism by which plants selectively perceive long-chain chitin oligomers, identifying a bridge domain in CHIP receptors and co-receptor roles for CERK proteins.
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Key points
- Identified a bridge domain in CHIP receptors as critical for size-selective, high-affinity chitin perception.
- Demonstrated that CERK receptors function as essential low-affinity co-receptors in chitin signaling.
- Proposed a mechanistic model for ligand-induced heterocomplex assembly in plant immune signaling.
- Structural analysis of receptor-ligand complexes provided detailed insights into chitin recognition.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Plants detect microbes through pattern recognition receptors that perceive conserved microbial surface motifs known as microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). Lysin motif (LysM) receptors recognize and mediate downstream responses to chitinous MAMPs. In this study, we elucidated the mechanism for the specific recognition of long-chain chitin oligomers and identified a hallmark bridge domain characteristic of the CHITIN PERCEPTION (CHIP) receptor class. Structural analysis of receptor-ligand complexes, biochemistry, and in planta functional studies of inhibitory nanobodies revealed the mechanism of size-selective, high-affinity chitin perception in Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula . Additionally, we identified the CHITIN ELICITOR RECEPTOR KINASE (CERK) class as low-affinity, yet essential, co-receptors and propose a mechanistic model for a ligand-induced core signaling heterocomplex. Our findings establish the structural and mechanistic basis of differential chitin perception and receptor complex assembly in chitin-elicited plant immune signaling.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Science, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Plant Science
Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences