Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2025

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits
Published on: February 10, 2023
Plant immunity suppression via PHR1-RALF-FERONIA shapes the root microbiome to alleviate phosphate starvation
Jing Tang1, Dousheng Wu1, Xiaoxu Li2
1State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China.
Abstract:
The microbiome plays an important role in shaping plant growth and immunity, but few plant genes and pathways impacting plant microbiome composition have been reported. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the phosphate starvation response (PSR) was recently found to modulate the root microbiome upon phosphate (Pi) starvation through the transcriptional regulator PHR1. Here, we report that A. thaliana PHR1 directly binds to the promoters of rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) genes, and activates their expression under phosphate-starvation conditions. RALFs in turn suppress complex formation of pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI) receptor through FERONIA, a previously-identified PTI modulator that increases resistance to certain detrimental microorganisms. Suppression of immunity via the PHR1-RALF-FERONIA axis allows colonization by specialized root microbiota that help to alleviate phosphate starvation by upregulating the expression of PSR genes. These findings provide a new paradigm for coordination of host-microbe homeostasis through modulating plant innate immunity after environmental perturbations.
More Related Videos
09:04Monitoring Bacterial Colonization and Maintenance on Arabidopsis thaliana Roots in a Floating Hydroponic System
Published on: May 28, 2019
11:50Bacterial Leaf Infiltration Assay for Fine Characterization of Plant Defense Responses using the Arabidopsis thaliana-Pseudomonas syringae Pathosystem
Published on: October 1, 2015
Related Concept Videos
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Cell Signaling in Plants
Gene Regulation During Sporulation
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
Other Stress Responses in Bacteria