Pathogen-induced condensation of the guard cell RNA-binding protein SAIR1 fine-tunes translation for immunity
Qiangsheng Yu1, Jie Wu2, Yunfan Jin2
1State Key Laboratory of Green Biomanufacturing, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Plant guard cells perceive pathogens and close stomata to prevent their invasion. Biomolecular condensates are membraneless organelles essential for life processes. However, guard cell biomolecular condensates mediating stomatal immunity remain unknown. Here we identify a guard-cell-preferential RNA-recognition-motif-type RNA-BINDING PROTEIN, STOMATAL IMMUNE RNA-BINDING PROTEIN 1 (SAIR1), that forms pathogen-responsive guard cell condensates via phase separation. Upon perception of the pathogen molecular pattern flg22, the activated kinases MPK3 and MPK6 phosphorylate SAIR1 and trigger its condensation in guard cells for stomatal immunity. SAIR1 condensates recruit translational regulators such as POLYADENYLATE-BINDING PROTEINs and eIFiso4G, and sequester defence-related mRNAs, including key components of the salicylic acid pathway. Through these interactions, SAIR1 condensates enhance the translation of defence mRNAs, ultimately promoting stomatal closure. Our findings reveal phosphorylation-regulated SAIR1 condensates as a critical hub that links flg22-MPK3/6 signalling to stomatal immunity.
Related Concept Videos
Translational Regulation
Leaky Scanning
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
Stringent Response in E. coli
Gene Regulation During Sporulation


