In a new Cell Host & Microbe publication, Jiradet Gloggnitzer and colleagues from the Karel Riha Group at the GMI reveal how Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) contributes to innate immunity in Arabidopsis by controlling the turnover of numerous TIR domain-containing, nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (TNL) immune receptor-encoding mRNAs.
Summary
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a conserved eukaryotic RNA surveillance mechanism that degrades aberrant mRNAs. NMD impairment in Arabidopsis is linked to constitutive immune response activation and enhanced antibacterial resistance, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we show that NMD contributes to innate immunity in Arabidopsis by controlling the turnover of numerous TIR domain-containing, nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (TNL) immune receptor-encoding mRNAs. Autoimmunity resulting from NMD impairment depends on TNL signaling pathway components and can be triggered through deregulation of a single TNL gene, RPS6. Bacterial infection of plants causes host-programmed inhibition of NMD, leading to stabilization of NMD-regulated TNL transcripts. Conversely, constitutive NMD activity prevents TNL stabilization and impairs plant defense, demonstrating that host-regulated NMD contributes to disease resistance. Thus, NMD shapes plant innate immunity by controlling the threshold for activation of TNL resistance pathways.
Original Publication
Gloggnitzer J, Akimcheva S, Srinivasan A, Kusenda B, Riehs N, Stampfl H, Bautor J,Dekrout B, Jonak J,Jimenez-Gomez JM, Parker JE and Riha K (2014) Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay Modulates Immune Receptor Levels to Regulate Plant Antibacterial Defense. Cell Host & Microbe 16(3):376-390.
Media
Wiener Zeitung - 10.09.2014
Der Standard - 17.09.2014