RESISTANT1

RESISTANT1 is a gene designation used in plant genetics to describe a locus associated with disease resistance. In several species, the RESISTANT1 gene encodes a membrane-associated protein believed to participate in defense signaling, helping limit pathogen spread.

The encoded product is predicted to contain transmembrane domains and regulatory motifs common to receptors or scaffold proteins involved in immune signaling. Expression is often induced by pathogen challenge and by defense hormones such as salicylic acid; transcription factors in WRKY and NAC families can influence RESISTANT1 expression.

Functional studies suggest RESISTANT1 contributes to defense signaling and may modulate responses such as reactive oxygen species production, callose deposition, and pathogenesis-related gene expression. Effects are variable by species and pathogen, with knockouts sometimes increasing susceptibility and overexpression sometimes enhancing resistance.

RESISTANT1 orthologs are widely conserved among flowering plants, indicating an ancient role in innate immunity. Natural variation at the RESISTANT1 locus has been associated with quantitative resistance traits rather than complete, single-gene resistance.

Researchers are exploring applications in crop improvement, including genetic mapping, marker-assisted selection, and gene editing to stabilize defense responses while minimizing yield penalties. Further work aims to define interaction partners and signaling networks in which RESISTANT1 participates.