Identification and Characterization of the Novel Fungal MAMP SsE1 and its Receptor-Like Protein (RLP30)-based Perception System in Arabidopsis

Effective plant defense strategies rely on the perception of non-self determinants, so-called microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), by transmembrane pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) leading to MAMP-triggered immunity (MTI). Plant resistance against necrotrophic pathogens with a broad host-range is complex and yet not well understood. Particularly, it is unclear if resistance to necrotrophs involves MTI. In this thesis, a novel proteinaceous elicitor called SsE1 was partially purified from the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum that induces typical MTI responses in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Analysis of natural genetic variation between different Arabidopsis accessios revealed five ecotypes (Mt-0