CEP signaling coordinates plant immunity with nitrogen status.
Jakub Rzemieniewski1, Henriette Leicher1, Hyun Kyung Lee2
1Phytopathology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.
Nature Communications
|December 16, 2024
Summary
Plant peptides called C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDEs (CEPs) act as immune signals, enhancing plant defense against bacterial pathogens. This immunity is regulated by specific receptors and linked to nitrogen status.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Molecular immunology
- Plant-pathogen interactions
Background:
- Plant endogenous signaling peptides regulate growth and stress responses.
- C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDEs (CEPs) are known to influence root growth and nitrogen signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CEPs as immune-modulatory phytocytokines in Arabidopsis thaliana.
- To identify the receptors involved in CEP-mediated immunity against bacterial pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Identification of CEPs as immune modulators.
- Assessing CEPs' role in resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato.
- Investigating the function of CEP RECEPTOR 1 (CEPR1), CEPR2, and RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE 7 (RLK7) in CEP-mediated immunity.
- Analyzing the influence of nitrogen status on CEP-mediated immunity.
Main Results:
- CEPs were identified as immune-modulatory phytocytokines that induce immune outputs.
- CEPs are essential for resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato.
- Tissue-specific receptors CEPR1 and CEPR2, along with RLK7, are crucial for effective CEP-mediated immunity.
- Plant immunity mediated by CEPs and their receptors is dependent on nitrogen status, indicating a crosstalk between nutrition and immunity.
Conclusions:
- CEPs function as critical immune regulators in plants, acting as phytocytokines.
- A complex network of CEP ligands and receptors mediates plant immunity.
- CEP-mediated immunity is intertwined with plant nitrogen status, highlighting a novel link between nutrition and defense.
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