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Identification of Post-translational Modifications of Plant Protein Complexes

Identification of Post-translational Modifications of Plant Protein Complexes

Published on: February 22, 2014

Metformin blocks BIK1-mediated CPK28 phosphorylation and enhances plant immunity

Yazhou Bao¹, Qian Zhang², Hai Zhu³

¹College of Plant Protection, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.

Journal of Advanced Research

|March 5, 2024

Abstract

Introduction:

Metformin (MET), derived from Galega officinalis, stands as the primary first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Despite its well-documented benefits in mammalian cellular processes, its functions and underlying mechanisms in plants remain unclear.

Objectives:

This study aimed to elucidate MET's role in inducing plant immunity and investigate the associated mechanisms.

Methods:

To investigate the impact of MET on enhancing plant immune responses, we conducted assays measuring defense gene expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, and pathogen infection. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and microscale thermophoresis (MST) techniques were employed to identify MET targets. Protein-protein interactions were analyzed using a luciferase complementation assay and a co-immunoprecipitation assay.

Results:

Our findings revealed that MET boosts plant disease resistance by activating MAPKs, upregulating the expression of downstream defense genes, and fortifying the ROS burst. CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE 28 (CPK28) was identified as a target of MET. It inhibited the interaction between BOTRYTIS-INDUCED KINASE 1 (BIK1) and CPK28, blocking CPK28 threonine 76 (T76) transphosphorylation by BIK1, and alleviating the negative regulation of immune responses by CPK28. Moreover, MET enhanced disease resistance in tomato, pepper, and soybean plants.

Conclusion:

Collectively, our data suggest that MET enhances plant immunity by blocking BIK1-mediated CPK28 phosphorylation.

Keywords:

CPK28 Metformin Phosphorylation Plant immunity

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