Paired NLRs originated from Triticum dicoccoides coordinately confer resistance to powdery mildew in wheat
Wheat has evolved diverse resistance genes against powdery mildew, typically controlled by single-gene-encoded proteins. Here, we report the map-based cloning of PmWR183, a resistance locus encoding two adjacent NLR proteins (PmWR183-NLR1 and PmWR183-NLR2) from wild emmer wheat. Stable transformation and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout experiments demonstrate that the two NLRs function cooperatively: neither gene alone confers resistance, but their co-expression restores immunity, while disruption of either gene abolishes resistance. PmWR183 mediates a developmental stage-dependent response, with susceptibility at the seedling stage and strong resistance at the adult stage. Protein interaction assays reveal constitutive association of PmWR183-NLR1 and PmWR183-NLR2, supporting their cooperative role. Geographical and haplotype analyses show the locus originates from wild emmer and is rare in cultivated wheat, exhibiting at least nine haplotypes. Together, our findings uncover a rare NLR gene pair conferring effective resistance to powdery mildew, providing valuable resources for wheat breeding.
Authors
- Jinghuang Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7368-0858)
- Xuejia Cui
- Chengguo Yuan
- Yikun Hou
- Yi Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3965-6299)
- Huaizhi Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8898-7115)
- Guanghao Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1847-0006)
- Keyu Zhu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0351-7155)
- Jingzhong Xie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5838-9632)
- Qiuhong Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1253-1899)
- Lingli Dong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1990-9559)
- Yongxing Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0020-1588)
- Zhiyong Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6958-5233)
- Yiwen Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3895-1576)
- Beibei Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7262-1442)
- Miaomiao Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9691-0233)
- Hongjie Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1821-7254)
- Lei Dong
- Dan Qiu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8454-6120)
- Delin Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7967-1581)
- Ping Lu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5923-152X)
- Wenling Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7060-1712)
- Chenchen Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9769-1287)
- Gaojie Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1061-5442)
- Baoge Huang
- H. Y. Fu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9399-0734)
- Zhiying Chu
Institutions
- Hebei Agricultural University (CN)
- Hebei University of Technology (CN)
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics (CN)
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (CN)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-10-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64049-y
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Plant pathogens and resistance mechanisms
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 7.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- China Agricultural University
- Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
- National Science and Technology Major Project
- National Key Research and Development Program of China
- Youth Innovation Promotion Association