EF-TU receptor (EFR) (EFR)

The EF-TU receptor (EFR) is a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) originally identified in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. It belongs to the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase (LRR-RLK) family and plays a pivotal role in plant innate immunity by recognizing the N-terminal part of the bacterial protein elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu). In the field of biotechnology, EFR is a primary target for engineering broad-spectrum bacterial resistance in crops. It is notably used to reduce the incidence and severity of fire blight, a devastating necrotic disease caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora that affects members of the Rosaceae family, such as apple and pear trees. The expression of EFR in susceptible host plants allows for the rapid detection of bacterial pathogens, initiating a series of defense responses collectively known as pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). These responses include the burst of reactive oxygen species, the induction of defense genes, and the deposition of callose, which together limit the spread of the infection. While EFR is not a target for small-molecule human drugs, it is a critical molecular target in agricultural biotechnology for developing disease-resistant transgenic varieties. Its utility in "reducing fire" (specifically fire blight) has made it a subject of extensive research for sustainable disease management in horticulture.

Other names

Elongation factor Tu receptorAtEFRelf18 receptor

Activation of the innate immune response and pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) upon recognition of the bacterial PAMP elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) or its derived peptide elf18.