Ph.D. 1959, Montanaa State University

Research Interests

The major goals of this program are to investigate the regulation of synthesis of defensive proteins in plants that are induced by predator and pathogen attacks. Nearly 20 proteins have been identified whose systemic synthesis is regulated in response to herbivore and pathogen attacks. A lipid-based signal transduction pathway has been found to mediate the response. Signals from the plants have been identified and characterized, including a novel polypeptide signal, called systemin, analogous to polypeptide signals in animals, oligouronide fragments from the plant cell wall, and jasmonic acid, a prostagandin analog. Elucidating the biochemistry and cell biology of this pathway is the focus of our present research. The application of this knowledge to improve crop production and to understand ecological systems is a major goal of the program

Selected Publications

Huffaker, A., and C.A. Ryan. 2007. Endogenous peptide defense signals in Arabidopsis differentially amplify signaling for the innate immune response. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. In press.

Pearce, G., W.F. Siems, R. Bhattacharya, Y.-C. Chen, and C.A. Ryan. 2007. Three hydroxyproline-rich glycopeptides derived from a single petunia polyprotein precursor activate Defensin I, a pathogen defense response gene. J. Biol. Chem.; In press (online).

Pearce, G., J. Narváez-Vásquez, and C.A. Ryan. 2006. Systemins, in Handbook of Bioactive Peptides, Abba Kastan ed., pp. 49-53.

Huffaker, A., Y. Yamaguchi, G. Pearce., and C.A. Ryan. 2006. AtPep1, in Handbook of Bioactive Peptides, Abba Kastan ed., pp. 5-8.

Moura, D.S., G. Pearce, and C.A. Ryan. 2006. RALF, in Handbook of Bioactive Peptides, Abba Kastan ed., pp. 33-36.

Srintanyarat, W., G. Pearce, W.F. Siems, C.A. Ryan, R. Wititsuwannakul, and G. Wititsuwannakul. 2006. Isolation and characterization of isoinhibitors of the potato inhibitor I family from the latex of rubber trees the latex of rubber trees, Hevea brasiliensis. Phytochemistry 67:1644-1650.