The receptor kinase FER is a RALF-regulated scaffold controlling plant immune signaling

Science. 2017 Jan 20;355(6322):287-289. doi: 10.1126/science.aal2541.

Abstract

In plants, perception of invading pathogens involves cell-surface immune receptor kinases. Here, we report that the Arabidopsis SITE-1 PROTEASE (S1P) cleaves endogenous RAPID ALKALINIZATION FACTOR (RALF) propeptides to inhibit plant immunity. This inhibition is mediated by the malectin-like receptor kinase FERONIA (FER), which otherwise facilitates the ligand-induced complex formation of the immune receptor kinases EF-TU RECEPTOR (EFR) and FLAGELLIN-SENSING 2 (FLS2) with their co-receptor BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1-ASSOCIATED KINASE 1 (BAK1) to initiate immune signaling. We show that FER acts as a RALF-regulated scaffold that modulates receptor kinase complex assembly. A similar scaffolding mechanism may underlie FER function in other signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / immunology*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Peptide Hormones / metabolism*
  • Phosphotransferases / metabolism*
  • Plant Immunity*
  • Proprotein Convertases / metabolism
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Proteolysis
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition / metabolism
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • EFR protein, Arabidopsis
  • Peptide Hormones
  • RALF1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition
  • FERONIA receptor like kinase, Arabidopsis
  • Phosphotransferases
  • Protein Kinases
  • BAK1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • FLS2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Proprotein Convertases
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • membrane-bound transcription factor peptidase, site 1