Mechanosensing and Sphingolipid-Docking Mediate Lipopeptide-Induced Immunity in Arabidopsis

  • Published:
  • Authors: Pršić J, Gilliard G, Ibrahim H, Argüelles-Arias A, Rondelli V, Crowet JM, Genva M, Luzuriaga-Loaiza WP, Deboever E, Nasir MN, Lins L, Mathelie-Guinlet M, Boubsi F, Eschrig S, Ranf S, Dorey S, De Coninck B, Nürnberger T, Mongrand S, Höfte M, Zipfel C, Dufrêne YF, Koutsioubas A, Brocca P, Deleu M, and Ongena M (2024)
  • Reference: bioRxiv 2023.07.04.547613; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.07.04.547613

Bacteria-derived lipopeptides are immunogenic triggers of host defenses in metazoans and plants. Root-associated rhizobacteria produce cyclic lipopeptides that activate systemically induced resistance (IR) against microbial infection in various plants. How these molecules are perceived by plant cells remains elusive. Here, we reveal that immunity activation in Arabidopsis thaliana by the lipopeptide elicitor surfactin is mediated by docking into specific sphingolipid-enriched domains and relies on host membrane deformation and subsequent activation of mechanosensitive ion channels. This mechanism leads to host defense potentiation and resistance to the necrotroph B. cinerea but is distinct from host pattern recognition receptor-mediated immune activation and reminiscent of damage-induced plant immunity.

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