Epigenetic regulation of N-hydroxypipecolic acid biosynthesis by the AIPP3-PHD2-CPL2 complex

J Integr Plant Biol. 2023 Dec;65(12):2660-2671. doi: 10.1111/jipb.13577. Epub 2023 Nov 27.

Abstract

N-Hydroxypipecolic acid (NHP) is a signaling molecule crucial for systemic acquired resistance (SAR), a systemic immune response in plants that provides long-lasting and broad-spectrum protection against secondary pathogen infections. To identify negative regulators of NHP biosynthesis, we performed a forward genetic screen to search for mutants with elevated expression of the NHP biosynthesis gene FLAVIN-DEPENDENT MONOOXYGENASE 1 (FMO1). Analysis of two constitutive expression of FMO1 (cef) and one induced expression of FMO1 (ief) mutants revealed that the AIPP3-PHD2-CPL2 protein complex, which is involved in the recognition of the histone modification H3K27me3 and transcriptional repression, contributes to the negative regulation of FMO1 expression and NHP biosynthesis. Our study suggests that epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in controlling FMO1 expression and NHP levels in plants.

Keywords: AIPP3; CPL2; FMO1; H3K27me3; NHP; PHD2; SAR; epigenetic regulation; plant immunity; transcriptional repression.

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis Proteins* / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins* / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis* / metabolism
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / genetics
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / genetics
  • Pipecolic Acids / metabolism

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • N-hydroxypipecolic acid
  • Pipecolic Acids
  • CPL2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases