NINJA-associated ERF19 negatively regulates Arabidopsis pattern-triggered immunity

Pin Yao Huang, Jingsong Zhang, Beier Jiang, Ching Chan, Jhong He Yu, Yu Pin Lu, Kwi Mi Chung, Laurent Zimmerli*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)739-745
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Experimental Botany
Volume70
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019 Feb 5
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Arabidopsis thaliana
  • Botrytis cinerea
  • ethylene response factor
  • NINJA
  • pattern-triggered immunity
  • Pseudomonas syringae
  • transcription factor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Plant Science

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