The Barley Mlo Gene: A Novel Control Element of Plant Pathogen Resistance

Mutation-induced recessive alleles (mlo) of the barley Mlo locus confer a leaf lesion phenotype and broad spectrum resistance to the fungal pathogen, Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei. The gene has been isolated using a positional cloning approach. Analysis of 11 mutagen-induced mlo alleles revealed mutations leading in each case to alterations of the deduced Mlo wild-type amino acid sequence. Susceptible intragenic recombinants, isolated from mlo heteroallelic crosses, show restored Mlo wild-type sequences. The deduced 60 kDa protein is predicted to be membrane-anchored by at least six membrane-spanning helices. The findings are compatible with a dual negative control function of the Mlo protein in leaf cell death and in the onset of pathogen defense; absence of Mlo primes the responsiveness for the onset of multiple defense functions.