Nonlegumes respond to rhizobial Nod factors by suppressing the innate immune response

Science. 2013 Sep 20;341(6152):1384-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1242736. Epub 2013 Sep 5.

Abstract

Virtually since the discovery of nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium-legume symbioses, researchers have dreamed of transferring this capability into nonlegume crop species (for example, corn). In general, nonlegumes were assumed to lack the ability to respond to the rhizobial lipo-chitin Nod factors, which are the essential signal molecules that trigger legume nodulation. However, our data indicate that Arabidopsis thaliana plants, as well as other nonlegumes, recognize the rhizobial Nod factor via a mechanism that results in strong suppression of microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP)-triggered immunity. The mechanism of action leads to reduced levels of pattern-recognition receptors on the plasma membrane involved in MAMP recognition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / drug effects
  • Arabidopsis / immunology*
  • Arabidopsis / microbiology*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Flagellin / immunology
  • Glycine max / immunology
  • Glycine max / microbiology
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Nitrogen Fixation / genetics
  • Oligosaccharides / immunology
  • Oligosaccharides / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Proteolysis
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition / metabolism
  • Symbiosis

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition
  • Flagellin
  • Nod factor V, Bradyrhizobium japonicum
  • chitotetrose
  • Protein Kinases
  • FLS2 protein, Arabidopsis