Open AccessNINJA-associated ERF19 negatively regulates Arabidopsis pattern-triggered immunity
Author(s) -
Pin-Yao Huang,
Jingsong Zhang,
Beier Jiang,
C.C. Chan,
Jhong-He Yu,
Yu-Pin Lu,
Kwi-Mi Chung,
Laurent Zimmerli
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of experimental botany
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.616
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1460-2431
pISSN - 0022-0957
DOI - 10.1093/jxb/ery414
Subject(s) - arabidopsis , pseudomonas syringae , repressor , biology , botrytis cinerea , arabidopsis thaliana , plant immunity , transcription factor , regulator , microbiology and biotechnology , negative regulator , innate immune system , pattern recognition receptor , function (biology) , genetics , genetic screen , interactor , gene , mutant , receptor , botany
Recognition of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) derived from invading pathogens by plant pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) initiates a subset of defense responses known as pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Transcription factors (TFs) orchestrate the onset of PTI through complex signaling networks. Here, we characterized the function of ERF19, a member of the Arabidopsis thaliana ethylene response factor (ERF) family. ERF19 was found to act as a negative regulator of PTI against Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae. Notably, overexpression of ERF19 increased plant susceptibility to these pathogens and repressed MAMP-induced PTI outputs. In contrast, expression of the chimeric dominant repressor ERF19-SRDX boosted PTI activation, conferred increased resistance to the fungus B. cinerea, and enhanced elf18-triggered immunity against bacteria. Consistent with a negative role for ERF19 in PTI, MAMP-mediated growth inhibition was weakened or augmented in lines overexpressing ERF19 or expressing ERF19-SRDX, respectively. Using biochemical and genetic approaches, we show that the transcriptional co-repressor Novel INteractor of JAZ (NINJA) associates with and represses the function of ERF19. Our work reveals ERF19 as a novel player in the mitigation of PTI, and highlights a potential role for NINJA in fine-tuning ERF19-mediated regulation of Arabidopsis innate immunity.