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CDK8 coordinates jasmonate-induced immunity with sulfur-responsive defense in Arabidopsis
Qiang Guo1,2, Huijia Gong1,3,4, Bailey J Kleven1,3,5
1Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.
Summary
CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE 8 (CDK8) regulates plant immunity by balancing growth and defense. It fine-tunes immune responses based on sulfur availability, impacting defense compound production.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Plant immunity relies on precursors like carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur for defense compounds.
- The jasmonate signaling pathway activates costly defenses, potentially hindering growth.
- Coordinating growth-defense tradeoffs with nutrient availability is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify regulators of growth-defense tradeoffs under jasmonate signaling.
- Investigate the role of CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE 8 (CDK8) in plant immunity and nutrient signaling.
- Elucidate how sulfur availability influences immune responses mediated by CDK8.
Main Methods:
- Transcript and metabolite profiling in *Arabidopsis thaliana*.
- Analysis of CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE 8 (CDK8) function under varying jasmonate and sulfur conditions.
- Investigating the expression of defense compounds like glucosinolates, camalexin, and defensins.
Main Results:
- CDK8 restrains growth and reduces seed yield under heightened jasmonate signaling.
- CDK8 amplifies jasmonate-triggered immunity, increasing sulfur-rich compounds when sulfur is abundant.
- Sulfur limitation induces a CDK8-dependent switch, suppressing defensins and glucosinolates while favoring camalexin.
Conclusions:
- CDK8 is a key transcriptional regulator integrating jasmonate signaling with sulfur nutritional status.
- CDK8 shapes the composition of plant immune responses by modulating defense metabolite profiles.
- This regulation allows plants to optimize defense strategies based on nutrient availability and signaling cues.
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