This research article explores tandem kinase proteins (TKPs) in plants, a protein family crucial for plant immunity. Researchers identified 2,682 TKPs across 104 plant species, finding that most contain dual kinase domains, many of which are pseudokinases, and integrated domains likely acting as decoys for pathogen effectors. The study's analysis of TKP structure, distribution, and evolution, supported by a newly created TKP Atlas, suggests these proteins play a significant role in plant defense against pathogens. The findings highlight the prevalence of TKPs in plant genomes and their likely evolution through both gene duplication and independent fusion events. The research also proposes a model for TKP function, suggesting that both kinase domains and integrated domains contribute to pathogen recognition and immune response activation.

Source: Reveguk, T., Fatiukha, A., Potapenko, E. et al. Tandem kinase proteins across the plant kingdom. Nat Genet 57, 254–262 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-02032-x