Rice genome harbours many resistance genes (R-genes) with tremendous allelic diversity, constituting a robust immune system effective against microbial pathogens like rice blast fungus M. oryzae. Nevertheless, few functional R-genes have been identified for rice blast resistance. Wild species of cultivated plants are treasure trove for important agronomic traits. The wild rice Oryza rufipogon is resistant to many virulent strains of Magnaporthe oryzae. Although considerable research on characterizing genes involved in biotic stress resistance is accomplished at genomic and transcript level, characterization at proteins level is yet to be explored. In the present study, we report the amplification, sequencing and protein sequence analysis of Pi56ortholog (Pi56or) in O. rufipogon accession WRA21. The Pi56or encodes 746 amino acid protein with an isoelectric point of analysis revealed that Pi56or shared highest similarity (80%) with Oryza meridionalis ortholog. The predicted 3D model confirmed 17 α helices and 18β pleated sheets with ATP-binding site close to β sheet present towards the N-terminus of the protein molecule. The present study using various molecular and bio-computational tools could, therefore, help in improving our understanding of this key resistance protein and prove to be a potential target towards developing resistance to M. oryzae in rice. | Characterization and molecular modelling of Pi56 Ortholog from Oryza Rufipogon
