PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Takken, F. L. W. AU - Tameling, W. I. L. TI - To Nibble at Plant Resistance Proteins AID - 10.1126/science.1171666 DP - 2009 May 08 TA - Science PG - 744--746 VI - 324 IP - 5928 4099 - http://science.sciencemag.org/content/324/5928/744.short 4100 - http://science.sciencemag.org/content/324/5928/744.full SO - Science2009 May 08; 324 AB - To intercept invading microbes that threaten growth and reproduction, plants evolved a sophisticated innate immune system. Recognition of specialized pathogens is mediated by resistance proteins that function as molecular switches. Pathogen perception by these multidomain proteins seems to trigger a series of conformational changes dependent on nucleotide exchange. The activated resistance protein switches on host defenses, often culminating in the death of infected cells. Given their control over life and death, activity of these proteins requires tight regulation that involves intramolecular interactions between the various domains.