Paired NLRs originated from Triticum dicoccoides coordinately confer resistance to powdery mildew in wheat

Huaizhi Zhang, Miaomiao Li, Gaojie Wang, Keyu Zhu, Guanghao Guo, Hongkui Fu, Chenchen Hu, Zhiying Chu, Jinghuang Hu, Qiuhong Wu, Yongxing Chen, Dan Qiu, Jingzhong Xie, Delin Li, Beibei Li, Wenling Li, Lei Dong, Yikun Hou, Xuejia Cui, Baoge Huang, Yi Liu, Yiwen Li, Hongjie Li, Chengguo Yuan, Lingli Dong (), Zhiyong Liu () and Ping Lu ()
Additional contact information
Huaizhi Zhang: Chinese Academy of Science
Miaomiao Li: Chinese Academy of Science
Gaojie Wang: Chinese Academy of Science
Keyu Zhu: Chinese Academy of Science
Guanghao Guo: Chinese Academy of Science
Hongkui Fu: Chinese Academy of Science
Chenchen Hu: Chinese Academy of Science
Zhiying Chu: Hebei Agricultural University
Jinghuang Hu: Xianghu Laboratory
Qiuhong Wu: Xianghu Laboratory
Yongxing Chen: Xianghu Laboratory
Dan Qiu: Chinese Academy of Science
Jingzhong Xie: Chinese Academy of Science
Delin Li: Xianghu Laboratory
Beibei Li: Xianghu Laboratory
Wenling Li: Xianghu Laboratory
Lei Dong: Xianghu Laboratory
Yikun Hou: Chinese Academy of Science
Xuejia Cui: Chinese Academy of Science
Baoge Huang: Chinese Academy of Science
Yi Liu: Hebei Agricultural University
Yiwen Li: Chinese Academy of Science
Hongjie Li: Xianghu Laboratory
Chengguo Yuan: Hebei Gaoyi Stock Seeds Farm
Lingli Dong: Chinese Academy of Science
Zhiyong Liu: Chinese Academy of Science
Ping Lu: Chinese Academy of Science

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract 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.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64049-y

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