Detecting nematodes

Summary This research identifies NILR1, a plant receptor-like kinase, as the receptor for the nematode pheromone Ascaroside #18 (Ascr18). The study demonstrates that NILR1 directly binds Ascr18, triggering immune signaling pathways and subsequent resistance to bacterial and nematode pathogens in Arabidopsis. This ligand-receptor pair represents a novel mechanism in plant innate immunity against nematodes. The findings also suggest NILR1's involvement in broader plant defense responses. Source: Huang et al., 2023, Current Biology 33, 3992–3997 September 25, 2023 ª 2023 Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.017