elf18 – Other Categories

Translation elongation factor thermo unstable (EF-Tu), is a highly conserved protein in bacteria which is essential for the synthesis of new proteins through translation in the ribosome. EF-Tu is also a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) protein. PAMPs are elicitors of plant defences and are recognised by pattern recognition receptors in the plant. In Arabidopsis thaliana EF-Tu is recognised by EF-Tu Receptor (EFR), a leucine-rich repeat-receptor kinase XII family member. Elf18 represents the N-terminal of EF-Tu, the region specifically recognised by Arabidopsis. This N-acetylated peptide is a strong inducer of plant defence responses and results in the biosynthesis of ethylene in leaves which triggers resistance to subsequent infection by pathogenic bacteria.