Jacalin domain in wheat jasmonate-regulated protein Ta-JA1 confers agglutinating activity and pathogen resistance

► Dirigent domain and JRL domain of wheat jasmonate-regulated protein Ta-JA1 were separately purified. ► Demonstration of JRL domain and Ta-JA1 exhibited similar agglutination activity. ► Over-expressing JRL domain in transgenic tobacco increased pathogen resistance. ► Ta-JA1 and homologs showed the purifying selection. ► We propose that JRL domain confers agglutination activity and pathogen resistance.