The potato transcription factor StbZIP61 regulates dynamic biosynthesis of salicylic acid in defense against Phytophthora infestans infection

Summary Salicylic acid (SA) signalling plays an essential role in plant innate immunity. In this study, we identified a component in the SA signaling pathway in potato (Solanum tuberosum), the transcription factor StbZIP61, and characterized its function in defence against Phytophthora infestans. Ex...

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Published in:The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology 2018-09, Vol.95 (6), p.1055-1068
Main Authors: Zhou, Xin‐Tong, Jia, Li‐Jia, Wang, Hai‐Yun, Zhao, Pan, Wang, Wen‐Yan, Liu, Ning, Song, Shuang‐Wei, Wu, Yao, Su, Lei, Zhang, Jie, Zhong, Nai‐Qin, Xia, Gui‐Xian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biosynthesis
bZIP transcription factor
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
Gene expression
Hormones
Immunity
Infections
Innate immunity
Jasmonic acid
NPR3‐like protein
Phytophthora infestans
Potatoes
Proteins
Ribonucleic acid
RNA
RNA-mediated interference
Salicylic acid
Signal transduction
Signaling
Solanum tuberosum
Transcription activation
Transcription factors
Yeast
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Summary:Summary Salicylic acid (SA) signalling plays an essential role in plant innate immunity. In this study, we identified a component in the SA signaling pathway in potato (Solanum tuberosum), the transcription factor StbZIP61, and characterized its function in defence against Phytophthora infestans. Expression of StbZIP61 was induced upon P. infestans infection and following exposure to the defense signaling hormones SA, ethylene and jasmonic acid. Overexpression of StbZIP61 increased the tolerance of potato plants to P. infestans while RNA interference (RNAi) increased susceptibility. Yeast two‐hybrid and pull down experiments revealed that StbZIP61 could interact with an NPR3‐like protein (StNPR3L) that inhibited its DNA‐binding and transcriptional activation activities. Moreover, StNPR3L interacted with StbZIP61 in an SA‐dependent manner. Among candidate genes involved in SA‐regulated defense responses, StbZIP61 had a significant impact on expression of StICS1, which encodes a key enzyme for SA biosynthesis. StICS1 transcription was induced upon P. infestans infection and this responsive expression to the pathogen was reduced in StbZIP61 RNAi plants. Accordingly, StICS1 expression was remarkably enhanced in StbZIP61‐overexpressing plants. Together, our data demonstrate that StbZIP61 functions in concert with StNPR3L to regulate the temporal activation of SA biosynthesis, which contributes to SA‐mediated immunity against P. infestans infection in potato. Significance statement The regulatory mechanism for dynamic biosynthesis of SA in plant immunity remains largely unknown. Here, we show that potato transcription factor StbZIP61 participates in defense against P. infestans by regulating SA biosynthesis. In response to pathogen infection, StbZIP61 promotes SA synthesis by inducing StICS1 expression and this activity is repressed by the NPR3‐like protein StNPR3L. Our results demonstrate that StbZIP61 functions in concert with StNPR3L to establish a temporal SA accumulation in immune responses.
ISSN:0960-7412
1365-313X
DOI:10.1111/tpj.14010