A wheat immune receptor pair executes cell death through a helper MLKL

Bennett, J. W.; Sugihara, Y.; Haidoulis, J. F.; Rodney, C. A.; Zdrzalek, R.; Zanchet, E.; Saado, I.; Paajanen, P.; Nicholson, P.; Asuke, S.; Banfield, M. J.

doi:10.64898/2026.08.07.743466

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.08.07.743466

A wheat immune receptor pair executes cell death through a helper MLKL

Bennett, J. W.·Sugihara, Y.·Haidoulis, J. F.·Rodney, C. A.·Zdrzalek, R.·Zanchet, E.·Saado, I.·Paajanen, P.·Nicholson, P.·Asuke, S.·Banfield, M. J.

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Abstract

To promote disease resistance, plant nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors often require paired co-receptors. In many cases, paired NLRs comprise one NLR to perceive effectors (the sensor) and another NLR to execute cell death (the helper). However, NLRs can also pair with sensor kinase fusion protein (KFP) receptors, but whether non-NLR components within such pairs can execute cell death, remains unclear. Here, we investigate the mechanism of an immune receptor pair comprising the wheat NLR Rwt3.6.8 NLR (R3NLR) and an MLKL protein, Rwt3.6.8 associated kinase (R3AK). Using Nicotiana benthamiana transient expression assays we confirmed that both R3NLR and R3AK are required for cell death in response to blast pathogen effectors PWT3, PWT6 or PWT8. Through mutational analysis we show the 4-helical bundle (4HB) domain of R3AK is required to execute cell death and R3AK can be made auto-active by perturbing the kinase catalytic active site. Activation of R3AK is also associated with a shift to a higher oligomeric state. Furthermore, as the NLR R3NLR is not actively involved in the execution of cell death we hypothesise that R3AK acts as a helper. A phylogenetic analysis indicates widespread distribution of this paired configuration in Poales. Together, this study establishes a novel resistance mechanism involving a non-canonical NLR/MLKL system. Significance StatementHere we investigate the mechanism of a novel plant immune receptor pair from wheat, R3NLR/R3AK. A nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptor and a mixed lineage kinase like (MLKL) protein are both required to mediate resistance to blast pathogen effector proteins PWT3, PWT6 and PWT8. Adopting a mutagenesis approach, we show that the MLKL protein executes cell death through its N-terminal 4-helical bundle domain, and this is associated with a shift to a higher oligomeric state. Mutations of conserved sequence motifs in the NLR support its role as a sensor, although effector interactions have not yet been observed. This study reveals a plant immune receptor pair that functions via a putative NLR sensor paired to a cell death executing MLKL protein.

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Bennett, J. W., Sugihara, Y., Haidoulis, J. F., Rodney, C. A., Zdrzalek, R., Zanchet, E., Saado, I., Paajanen, P., Nicholson, P., Asuke, S., Banfield, M. J.. 2026-08-07. A wheat immune receptor pair executes cell death through a helper MLKL. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.07.743466

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