Structure, Function, and Co-evolution of Rice Blast Resistance Genes

Rice blast disease caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most destructive rice diseases worldwide. Resistance (R) genes to blast encode proteins that detect pathogen signaling molecules encoded by M. oryzae viru- lence (AVR) genes. R genes can be a single copy gene or a member of clustered gene families that have evolved through duplica- tion and diversification. Recent advances in blast R gene cloning and subsequent characterization have provided useful insights into R gene mediated signaling transduction pathways. This review summarizes recent advances in cloning and characterization of blast R genes, and presents an update on evolutionary dynamics of R proteins, their interaction and co-evolution with the signaling molecules encoded by the AVR genes, and potential implications for crop protection.