Document Type

Honors Project

Publication Date

Spring 5-31-2012

Abstract

Plants contain innate immune systems that deter pathogen infection. Pattern recognition receptors bind microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), triggering immunity. MAMPs are proteins exclusive to pathogens that are typically indispensable for their survival. For this reason, MAMPs cannot be mutated or removed without causing pathogen death. However, this does not necessitate constitutive expression of MAMPs. In this study, the MAMP response of Arabidopsis thaliana was utilized to determine differential detection of MAMPs expressed by Pseudomonas syringe pv. tomato DC3000 when pretreated with A. thaliana. Results demonstrated that more MAMPs are detected when P. syringae had previously encountered A. thaliana, suggesting that bacteria may ‘remember’ prior hosts and regulate MAMP expression accordingly. Additional, MAMP-related findings are discussed and a MAMP response dichotomy is proposed.

Level of Honors

cum laude

Department

Biochemistry

Advisor

Kimberly Dickson

Comments

Advisor: Kimberly Dickson

Level of Honors: cum laude

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