THESEUS1 positively modulates plant defense responses against Botrytis cinerea through GUANINE EXCHANGE FACTOR4 signaling. Issue 11 (21st August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qu, Shaofeng; Zhang, Xi; Song, Yutong; Lin, Jinxing; Shan, Xiaoyi
• Is Part Of: Journal of integrative plant biology. Volume 59:Issue 11(2017)
• Page Start: 797
• Page End: 804
• Publication Date: 2017-08-21
• Subjects: Plants -- Periodicals; Plants -- China -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 580.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jipb.12565
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1672-9072

Abstract

Summary: The plant cell wall is an important interface for sensing pathogen attack and activating signaling pathways that promote plant immune responses. THESEUS1 (THE1) acts as a sensor of cell wall integrity that controls cell elongation during plant growth. However, no specific role for THE1 in plant defense responses has been reported. Here, we found that THE1 interacts with GUANINE EXCHANGE FACTOR4 (GEF4) and that both proteins play regulatory roles in plant resistance to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea . Genetic analysis showed that THE1 and GEF4 function in the same genetic pathway to mediate plant defense responses. In addition, using transcriptome analysis, we identified various genes (such as defense‐related, secondary metabolite‐related, and transcription factor genes) that are likely downstream targets in the THE1‐GEF4 signaling pathway. Our results suggest that THE1 functions as an upstream regulator of GEF4 signaling to positively regulate defense responses against B. cinerea in Arabidopsis . Abstract : THESEUS1, a member of the Catharanthus roseus RLK1‐like kinase family, interacts with GUANINE EXCHANGE FACTOR4 (GEF4) and elicits the GEF4 signaling network to regulate defense responses to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, revealing an important player in defense responses against biotic stresses.