Harpin Induces Activation of the Arabidopsis Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases AtMPK4 and AtMPK6

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are key enzymes that mediate adaptive responses to various abiotic and biotic stresses, including pathogen challenge. The proteinaceous bacterial elicitor harpin (secreted by Pseudomonas syringae pv syringae) activates two MAPKs in suspension cultures of Arabidopsis var. Landsberg erecta. In this study, we show that harpin and exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) activate myelin basic protein kinases in Arabidopsis leaves. Using anti-AtMPK4 and anti-AtMPK6 antibodies, we identify the harpin-activated MAPKs in both leaves and suspension cultures as AtMPK4 and AtMPK6, and show that H(2)O(2), generated by Arabidopsis cells in response to challenge with harpin, activates only AtMPK6. However, treatments with catalase, which removes H(2)O(2), or diphenylene iodonium, which inhibits superoxide and H(2)O(2) production, do not inhibit harpin-induced activation of AtMPK4 or AtMPK6. In addition, activation of AtMPK4 but not AtMPK6 is inhibited by the MAPK kinase inhibitor PD98059. Neither harpin nor H(2)O(2) has any effect on AtMPK4 or AtMPK6 gene expression. In addition, the expression of AtMEKK1, AtMEK1, or AtMKK2, previously shown to be potential functional partners of AtMPK4, were not affected by either harpin or H(2)O(2) treatments. These data suggest that harpin activates several signaling pathways, one leading to stimulation of the oxidative burst and others leading to the activation of AtMPK4 or AtMPK6.