Non-arginine-aspartate (non-RD) kinases are associated with innate immune receptors that recognize conserved microbial signatures

An important question in the field of plant–pathogen interactions is how the detection of pathogens is converted into an effective immune response. In recent years, substantial insight has been gained into the identities of both the plant receptors and the microbial molecules they recognize. Likewise, many of the downstream signaling proteins and transcriptions factors that activate defense responses have been characterized. However, the early molecular events that comprise ‘recognition’ and how defense signaling specificity is achieved are not as well understood. In this review we discuss the significance of non-arginine-aspartate (non-RD) kinases, a subclass of kinases that are often found in association with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).

► Non-RD kinases are associated with early events of PRR signaling.
► Non-RD motifs probably reflect adaptive changes associated with unique aspects of PRR signaling.
► RD and non-RD kinases cooperate to control innate immune signaling in plants.
► Additional structure/function studies are needed to elucidate non-RD signaling mechanisms.