Diverse Roles of Lysin-Motif (LysM) Proteins in Mediating Plant-Microbe Interactions

Abstract

Lysin-motif (LysM) is a protein domain initially identified in a phage protein responsible for binding peptidoglycan, an important component of bacterial cell walls. LysM-containing proteins are distributed in diverse organisms, ranging from microbes to plants and animals (including human beings). Recent studies demonstrated that this group of proteins plays different roles in mediating plant-microbe interactions, leading to defense, symbiosis, or suppression of host defense. These roles are probably related to their potential ability to recognize and bind a specific signal molecule, such as chitooligosaccharides, peptidoglycan, nodulation factors (NFs), and mycorrhization factors (MFs).

Keywords

• Chitooligosaccharide
• LysM
• plant-microbe interaction
• nodulation factor
• P/MAMP