The Arabidopsis RPP5 gene has been cloned and its sequence provided, along with the encoded amino acid sequence. DNA encoding the polypeptide, and alleles, mutants and derivatives thereof, may be introduced into plant cells and the encoded polypeptide expressed, conferring pathogen resistance on plants comprising such cells and descendants thereof. The RPP5 sequence comprises leucine rich repeats and the presence of such repeats enables identification of other plant pathogen resistance genes. Homologies between RPP5 and other pathogen resistance genes reveal motifs useful in identification of other pathogen resistance genes.
