MAPK signaling regulates nitric oxide and NADPH oxidase-dependent oxidative bursts in Nicotiana benthamiana

Plant Cell. 2008 May;20(5):1390-406. doi: 10.1105/tpc.107.055855. Epub 2008 May 30.

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as signals in innate immunity in plants. The radical burst is induced by INF1 elicitin, produced by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans. NO ASSOCIATED1 (NOA1) and NADPH oxidase participate in the radical burst. Here, we show that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades MEK2-SIPK/NTF4 and MEK1-NTF6 participate in the regulation of the radical burst. NO generation was induced by conditional activation of SIPK/NTF4, but not by NTF6, in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. INF1- and SIPK/NTF4-mediated NO bursts were compromised by the knockdown of NOA1. However, ROS generation was induced by either SIPK/NTF4 or NTF6. INF1- and MAPK-mediated ROS generation was eliminated by silencing Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homolog B (RBOHB), an inducible form of the NADPH oxidase. INF1-induced expression of RBOHB was compromised in SIPK/NTF4/NTF6-silenced leaves. These results indicated that INF1 regulates NOA1-mediated NO and RBOHB-dependent ROS generation through MAPK cascades. NOA1 silencing induced high susceptibility to Colletotrichum orbiculare but not to P. infestans; conversely, RBOHB silencing decreased resistance to P. infestans but not to C. orbiculare. These results indicate that the effects of the radical burst on the defense response appear to be diverse in plant-pathogen interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algal Proteins / pharmacology
  • Colletotrichum / physiology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Immunoblotting
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2 / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2 / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • NADPH Oxidases / genetics
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism*
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Nicotiana / metabolism*
  • Nicotiana / microbiology
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • Phytophthora / physiology
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Plant Proteins / physiology
  • Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Algal Proteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • elicitin, Phytophthora
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • SA-induced protein kinase
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB360634
  • GENBANK/AB360635
  • GENBANK/AB360636
  • GENBANK/AB373025
  • GENBANK/AB373026