Evidence for a role of the N terminus and leucine-rich repeat region of the Mi gene product in regulation of localized cell death

The tomato Mi gene confers resistance against root-knot nematodes and potato aphids. Chimeric constructs of the functional gene, Mi-1.2, with a homolog, Mi-1.1, were produced, and their phenotypes were examined in Agrobacterium rhizogenes-transformed roots. Exchange of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) region of Mi-1.1 into Mi-1.2 resulted in the loss of ability to confer nematode resistance, as did substitution of a 6-amino acid sequence from the Mi-1.1 LRR into Mi-1.2. Introduction of the Mi-1.2 LRR-encoding region into Mi-1.1 resulted in a lethal phenotype, as did substitution of the fragment encoding the N-terminal 161 amino acids of Mi-1.1 into Mi-1.2. Transient expression of the latter two chimeric constructs in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves produced localized cell death. The cell death caused by the N-terminal exchange was suppressed by coinfiltration with a construct expressing the N-terminal 161 amino acids of Mi-1.2. The phenotypes of these and other constructs indicate that the LRR region of Mi-1.2 has a role in signaling localized cell death and that the N-terminal 161 amino acids have a role in regulating this death.