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Rice kinase OsMRLK63 contributes to drought tolerance by regulating reactive oxygen species production
Xiu-Qing Jing1,2, Peng-Tao Shi1, Ran Zhang1
1National Key Laboratory of Crop Improvement for Stress Tolerance and Production/College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
Plant Physiology
|December 26, 2023
Summary
Rice plants utilize OsMRLK63 to sense drought signals via OsRALF45/46 peptides, activating ROS production for enhanced drought tolerance. This discovery reveals a key molecular pathway for plant stress response.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Signaling
- Stress Physiology
Background:
- Drought stress significantly impacts crop yields, yet the molecular mechanisms of plant tolerance are not fully understood.
- Receptor-like kinases, specifically malectin/malectin-like domain-containing receptor-like kinases (MRLKs), are implicated in various signaling pathways, but their role in drought response requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the function of OsMRLK63 in rice drought tolerance.
- To identify the upstream signaling molecules and downstream effectors involved in OsMRLK63-mediated drought response.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the interaction between OsMRLK63 and OsRALF45/46 using biochemical assays.
- Analyzed the phosphorylation of NADPH oxidases by OsMRLK63.
- Assessed the effect of OsRALF45/46 application on rice drought tolerance in an OsMRLK63-dependent manner.
Main Results:
- OsMRLK63 positively regulates drought tolerance and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in rice.
- OsMRLK63 interacts with and phosphorylates NADPH oxidases, notably OsRbohA at Ser26.
- Application of OsRALF45/46 peptides alleviates drought-induced dehydration, dependent on OsMRLK63 and ROS production.
- OsRALF45/46 bind to the extracellular domain of OsMRLK63, suggesting a direct sensing mechanism.
Conclusions:
- A novel signaling module (OsRALF45/46-OsMRLK63-OsRbohs) is identified, crucial for drought-stress signaling and tolerance in rice.
- OsMRLK63 acts as a receptor for OsRALF45/46, initiating a ROS-dependent pathway for drought adaptation.
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