Receptor-like kinases MDS1 and MDS2 promote SUMM2-mediated immunity

J Integr Plant Biol. 2021 Feb;63(2):277-282. doi: 10.1111/jipb.12978. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Abstract

Disruption of the MEKK1-MKK1/MKK2-MPK4 kinase cascade leads to activation of immunity mediated by the nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptor SUMM2, which monitors the phosphorylation status of CRCK3. Here we report that two receptor-like kinases (RLKs), MDS1, and MDS2, function redundantly to promote SUMM2-mediated immunity. Activation of SUMM2-mediated immunity is dependent on MDS1, and to a less extent on MDS2. MDS1 associates with CRCK3 in planta and can phosphorylate CRCK3 in vitro, suggesting that it may target CRCK3 to positively regulate SUMM2-mediated signaling. Our finding highlights a new defense mechanism where RLKs promote NLR-mediated immunity.

Keywords: CRCK3; MAP kinase cascade; MDS1; MPK4; SUMM2; plant immunity.

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / enzymology*
  • Arabidopsis / immunology*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Autoimmunity
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phosphorylation
  • Plant Immunity*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Suppression, Genetic

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • SUMM2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • AT5G38990 protein, Arabidopsis
  • AT5G39000 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases