Phosphorylation and Nuclear Localization of NPR1 in Systemic Acquired Resistance

Exploring the modulation of phosphorylation and SUMOylation-dependent NPR1 conformational switching on immune regulators TGA3 and WRKY70 through molecular simulation

NPR1 (Nonexpressor pathogenesis-related genes 1) is regulated by multisite phosphorylation and SUMOylation, serving as a master switch for effector-triggered plant immunity through a transcriptional activator (TGA3) and repressor (WRKY70) are experimentally well studied. However, the conformational relationship between the various phosphorylation, un-phosphorylation states, and SUMOylation's role in the functional switch remains unclear. Using deep learning-based molecular modeling, docking, and multi-nanosecond simulations (totaling 2 μs) with end-state free energy calculations, we unveil how different phosphorylation states impact the dynamic stability of NPR1's four phospho-serine residues (Ser11, Ser15, Ser55, & Ser59) and binding of the TGA3-WRKY70 over SUMOylation. Results from our simulations show that the salicylic-acid induced P-Ser11/15NPR1-SUMO3 stabilizes helices and the flexible activation loop (α22Lys423 - α1Arg50 & L35Asp467-Arg51α51, and Gly27L3), thereby switching association with TGA3. The inter-helix salt-bridge formed (L10Arg99-Glu323α9 and α14Glu280-Pro264L6) between the phosphorylated NPR1-SUMO3-TGA3 engage in tight control of conformational regulation were disengaged in the unphosphorylated system. The P-Ser55/59NPR1-SUMO3-WRKY70 reorients itself and forms an electrostatic and hydrogen bond with Lys145α7 - L2Asp26, L6Arg99 - Leu293L18 and Lys262L15 - Glu241L15, α13Val239 (α310), & L17Leu267 keeps complex stable and quiescent compare to unphosphorylated NPR1-WRKY70. Subsequently, the essential dynamic and secondary structural analysis reveals that the phosphorylation inhibits the α516 (long helix) formation and reduces the communication space between the 460α25-βturn3-α30-L42590 (NPR1) and 90L9-L10107 (SUMO3), making the binding more suitable for TGA3 (260βturn-L6270) and WRKY70 (230L15-L16265) via activation loop. These findings, which reveal the atomic and structural details of the NPR1's post-translational modification, will illuminate future investigations into enhancing plant immunity.

MdLRR-RLK1-MdATG3 module enhances the resistance of apples to abiotic stress via autophagy

Apple is an important economic species affected by abiotic stress, such as salt and drought. LRR-RLKs play a key role in plant responses to stress, although their physiological functions under abiotic stress are not yet fully understood. Autophagy is a highly conserved process in eukaryotes, which plays a vital role in drought and salt stress responses. In this study, overexpression of MdLRR-RLK1 in apple promoted plant growth and development and increased salt and drought stress tolerance. MdLRR-RLK1 interacts with MdATG3 in vivo and in vitro, and MdATG3 ubiquitinates and degrades MdLRR-RLK1. Intriguingly, MdLRR-RLK1 and MdATG3 enhance salt and drought tolerance through increasing autophagy. Moreover, MdATG3 interacts with MdATG8F and MdATG8I-like in apple. These findings reveal the interaction between MdLRR-RLK1 and MdATG3, suggesting mechanisms that regulate apple growth and resistance to abiotic stress.

Exogenous pipecolic acid modulates plant defence responses against Podosphaera xanthii and Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a long-lasting and broad-based resistance that can be activated following infection with (a)virulent pathogens and treatment with exogenous elicitors. Pipecolic acid (Pip), a Lys-derived non-protein amino acid, naturally occurs in many different plant species, and its N-hydroxylated derivative, N-hydroxypipecolic acid (NHP), acts as a crucial regulator of SAR. In the present study, we conducted a systemic analysis of the defence responses of a series of D,L-Pip-pretreated Cucumis sativus L. against Podosphaera xanthii (P. xanthii) and Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans (Psl). The effects of D,L-Pip on ROS metabolism, defence-related gene expression, SA accumulation and activity of defence-related enzymes were evaluated. We show that exogenously applied D,L-Pip successfully induces SAR in cucumber against P. xanthii and Psl, but not Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (Foc). Exogenous application of D,L-Pip via the root system is sufficient to activate the accumulation of free and conjugated salicylic acid (SA), and earlier and stronger upregulation of SAR-associated gene transcription upon P. xanthii infection. Furthermore, D,L-Pip treatment and subsequent pathogen inoculation promote hydrogen peroxide and superoxide accumulation, as well as Rboh transcription activation in cucumber plants, suggesting that D,L-Pip-triggered ROS production might be involved in enhanced defence reactions against P. xanthii. We also demonstrate that D,L-Pip pretreatment increases the activity of defence-associated enzymes, including peroxidase, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase. The results presented in this report provide promising features of Pip as an elicitor in cucumber and call for further studies that may uncover its potential in production areas against different phytopathogens.

Berberine induces resistance against tobacco mosaic virus in tobacco

BACKGROUND

Plant systemic resistance induced by botanical compounds is a promising alternative method of disease management. The natural product berberine, usually used as an antimicrobial in medicine, has been proven to have antifungal activity in agriculture. To investigate the induced resistance imparted by berberine, the effect of berberine against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and the mechanism governing this effect were determined.

RESULT

Berberine exhibited considerable in vivo anti-TMV activity of up to 68.3% but had no in vitro direct effect on TMV. Moreover, berberine could induce immune responses against TMV in tobacco, including the hypersensitive reaction (HR), accumulation of H2 O2 , increases in defense enzymes and overexpression of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. In addition, upregulation of salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis genes PAL, CM1, ICS, PBS3 and the enzyme benzoic acid 2-hydroxylase (BA2H) confirmed that SA was involved in the defensive signals. Berberine can induce crop resistance against TMV, Phytophthora nicotianae, Botrytis cinerea and Blumeria graminis in the greenhouse.

CONCLUSION

This paper highlights the use of berberine in manipulating tobacco to generate defense responses against TMV, which can be attributed to SA-mediated induced resistance. The paper provides a theoretical basis for the application of berberine as a resistance activator and for further research on induced resistance by botanical natural product. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sumoylation, Phosphorylation, and Acetylation Fine-Tune the Turnover of Plant Immunity Components Mediated by Ubiquitination

Ubiquitination-mediated protein degradation plays a crucial role in the turnover of immune proteins through rapid alteration of protein levels. Specifically, the over-accumulation of immune proteins and consequent activation of immune responses in uninfected cells is prevented through degradation. Protein post-translational modifications can influence and affect ubiquitination. There is accumulating evidence that suggests sumoylation, phosphorylation, and acetylation differentially affect the stability of immune-related proteins, so that control over the accumulation or degradation of proteins is fine-tuned. In this paper, we review the function and mechanism of sumoylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, and ubiquitination in plant disease resistance responses, focusing on how ubiquitination reacts with sumoylation, phosphorylation, and acetylation to regulate plant disease resistance signaling pathways. Future research directions are suggested in order to provide ideas for signaling pathway studies, and to advance the implementation of disease resistance proteins in economically important crops.