Rice phospholipase C4 enhances Ca²⁺ and ROS bursts during effector-triggered immunity to induce ferroptotic cell...

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Molecular Plant Pathology
• Plant Biochemistry

Background:

• Phospholipases are key regulators of lipid signaling and plant immunity.
• Rice phospholipase C4 (OsPLC4) influences intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of OsPLC4 in rice immunity and calcium signaling.
• To elucidate the mechanism of OsPLC4-mediated cell death and defense responses.

Main Methods:

• Transient expression of OsPLC4 and variants in plants.
• Analysis of Osplc4 knockout mutants during Magnaporthe oryzae infection.
• Biochemical assays for Ca2+, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Fe3+ accumulation.
• Treatment with Ca2+ chelators and enhancers.
• OsPLC4 overexpression in Arabidopsis.

Main Results:

• OsPLC4 translocates to the plasma membrane in a Ca2+-dependent manner.
• OsPLC4 triggers cell death and immune responses.
• Osplc4 knockout mutants show reduced Ca2+, ROS, Fe3+ accumulation, and cell death.
• OsPLC4 promotes Ca2+-mediated ferroptotic cell death and activates defense genes.
• OsPLC4 overexpression induces immunity in Arabidopsis.

Conclusions:

• OsPLC4 is a critical regulator of Ca2+-dependent plant immunity.
• OsPLC4 acts downstream of resistosome activation, sustaining Ca2+ and ROS elevation during ETI.
• OsPLC4 promotes lipid ROS-dependent ferroptotic cell death, enhancing plant defense.