Membrane Localization and Oligomerization of HIR2 and Its Role in Nanoscale Organization of Plasma Membrane Receptor-Like Kinases

Abstract

Diese Dissertation ist gesperrt bis zum 01.07.2028!

Plasma membrane-localized receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are central regulators of plant development and immunity, translating extracellular signals into coordinated cellular responses. Their activity is influenced not only by ligand perception and protein-protein interactions but also by their spatial organization within plasma membrane nanodomains. Despite the recognized importance of these membrane compartments, the mechanisms governing their formation and function remain poorly understood. The plant-specific stomatin/prohibitin/flotillin/HflK/C (SPFH) protein HYPERSENSITIVE INDUCED REACTION 2 (HIR2) has been associated with immune signaling and plasma membrane-localized receptor complexes, suggesting a role in the coordination of receptor-mediated signaling. However, the molecular function of HIR2 and its contribution to membrane organization are largely unresolved. This thesis aimed to investigate the function of HIR2 in plasma membrane organization and its impact on RLK-associated signaling processes. To address this, genetic, biochemical, cell biological, and structural approaches were combined to characterize the role of HIR2 at the plant plasma membrane. The findings identify HIR2 as an important regulator of plasma membrane-associated signaling processes and support a role for HIR2 in coordinating the organization and dynamics of signaling components at the plasma membrane.