The conserved nematode pheromone ascr#18 primes plant immunity

Area of Science:

• Plant immunity
• Chemical ecology
• Crop protection

Background:

• Plants detect environmental molecules, including microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), to trigger defenses.
• MAMPs can prime plants for enhanced, low-cost defense against pathogens.
• The role of small molecules from other phyla in plant defense priming is largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if ascaroside ascr#18, a nematode pheromone, primes plant immune responses.
• To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying ascr#18-induced defense priming.
• To assess the potential of ascarosides as a sustainable crop protection strategy.

Main Methods:

• Exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana seeds and plants to ascaroside ascr#18.
• Pathogen challenge assays to evaluate disease resistance.
• Chromatin accessibility assays to analyze gene regulation.
• Analysis of Arabidopsis mutants lacking the ascr#18 receptor (NILR1).
• Field trials to assess efficacy under natural conditions.

Main Results:

• Ascaroside ascr#18 primes plant immune genes, enhancing resistance to diverse microbial pathogens.
• ascr#18-induced priming involves open chromatin formation at defense gene regulatory regions.
• Priming and disease protection are impaired in NILR1 receptor mutants.
• ascr#18-mediated defense priming is effective under field conditions.

Conclusions:

• Ascaroside ascr#18 acts as a signaling molecule that primes plant immunity.
• The leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase NILR1 is crucial for ascr#18 perception and response.
• Ascaroside treatment presents a promising, environmentally friendly approach for crop protection against pathogens.