A Dihydroflavonol-4-Reductase-Like Protein Interacts with NFR5 and Regulates Rhizobial Infection in Lotus japonicus

Dynamic modulation of nodulation factor receptor levels by phosphorylation-mediated functional switch of a RING-type E3 ligase during legume nodulation

The precise control of receptor levels is crucial for initiating cellular signaling transduction in response to specific ligands; however, such mechanisms regulating nodulation factor (NF) receptor (NFR)-mediated perception of NFs to establish symbiosis remain unclear. In this study, we unveil the pivotal role of the NFR-interacting RING-type E3 ligase 1 (NIRE1) in regulating NFR1/NFR5 homeostasis to optimize rhizobial infection and nodule development in Lotus japonicus. We demonstrated that NIRE1 has a dual function in this regulatory process. It associates with both NFR1 and NFR5, facilitating their degradation through K48-linked polyubiquitination before rhizobial inoculation. However, following rhizobial inoculation, NFR1 phosphorylates NIRE1 at a conserved residue, Tyr-109, inducing a functional switch in NIRE1, which enables NIRE1 to mediate K63-linked polyubiquitination, thereby stabilizing NFR1/NFR5 in infected root cells. The introduction of phospho-dead NIRE1Y109F leads to delayed nodule development, underscoring the significance of phosphorylation at Tyr-109 in orchestrating symbiotic processes. Conversely, expression of the phospho-mimic NIRE1Y109E results in the formation of spontaneous nodules in L. japonicus, further emphasizing the critical role of the phosphorylation-dependent functional switch in NIRE1. In summary, these findings uncover a fine-tuned symbiotic mechanism that a single E3 ligase could undergo a phosphorylation-dependent functional switch to dynamically and precisely regulate NF receptor protein levels.

A pathogenesis-related protein, PRP1, negatively regulates root nodule symbiosis in Lotus japonicus

The legume-rhizobium symbiosis represents a unique model within the realm of plant-microbe interactions. Unlike typical cases of pathogenic invasion, the infection of rhizobia and their residence within symbiotic cells do not elicit a noticeable immune response in plants. Nevertheless, there is still much to uncover regarding the mechanisms through which plant immunity influences rhizobial symbiosis. In this study, we identify an important player in this intricate interplay: Lotus japonicus PRP1, which serves as a positive regulator of plant immunity but also exhibits the capacity to decrease rhizobial colonization and nitrogen fixation within nodules. The PRP1 gene encodes an uncharacterized protein and is named Pathogenesis-Related Protein1, owing to its orthologue in Arabidopsis thaliana, a pathogenesis-related family protein (At1g78780). The PRP1 gene displays high expression levels in nodules compared to other tissues. We observed an increase in rhizobium infection in the L. japonicus prp1 mutants, whereas PRP1-overexpressing plants exhibited a reduction in rhizobium infection compared to control plants. Intriguingly, L. japonicus prp1 mutants produced nodules with a pinker colour compared to wild-type controls, accompanied by elevated levels of leghaemoglobin and an increased proportion of infected cells within the prp1 nodules. The transcription factor Nodule Inception (NIN) can directly bind to the PRP1 promoter, activating PRP1 gene expression. Furthermore, we found that PRP1 is a positive mediator of innate immunity in plants. In summary, our study provides clear evidence of the intricate relationship between plant immunity and symbiosis. PRP1, acting as a positive regulator of plant immunity, simultaneously exerts suppressive effects on rhizobial infection and colonization within nodules.

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Are Key to Promoting the Growth and Furanocoumarin Synthesis of Angelica dahurica var. formosana under Low-Nitrogen Conditions

Microbiomes are the most important members involved in the regulation of soil nitrogen metabolism. Beneficial interactions between plants and microbiomes contribute to improving the nitrogen utilization efficiency. In this study, we investigated the Apiaceae medicinal plant Angelica dahurica var. formosana. We found that under a low-nitrogen treatment, the abundance of carbon metabolites in the rhizosphere secretions of A. dahurica var. formosana significantly increased, thereby promoting the ratio of C to N in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils, increasing carbon sequestration, and shaping the microbial community composition, thus promoting a higher yield and furanocoumarin synthesis. Confirmation through the construction of a synthetic microbial community and feedback experiments indicated that beneficial plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria play a crucial role in improving nitrogen utilization efficiency and selectively regulating the synthesis of target furanocoumarins under low nitrogen conditions. These findings may contribute additional theoretical evidence for understanding the mechanisms of interaction between medicinal plants and rhizosphere microorganisms.

Plant lectins: Handymen at the cell surface

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins and are involved in a multitude of biological functions. Lectins at the surface of plant cells often occur as lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLK) anchored to the plasma membrane. These LecRLKs are part of the plant's pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) system enabling the plant to perceive threats and respond adequately. Furthermore, plant lectins also occur as secreted proteins, which are associated with stress signalling and defence. The aim of this short review is to provide a general perspective on plant lectins and their role at the cell surface.

Contribution of phenylpropanoid metabolism to plant development and plant-environment interactions

Phenylpropanoid metabolism is one of the most important metabolisms in plants, yielding more than 8,000 metabolites contributing to plant development and plant-environment interplay. Phenylpropanoid metabolism materialized during the evolution of early freshwater algae that were initiating terrestrialization and land plants have evolved multiple branches of this pathway, which give rise to metabolites including lignin, flavonoids, lignans, phenylpropanoid esters, hydroxycinnamic acid amides, and sporopollenin. Recent studies have revealed that many factors participate in the regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism, and modulate phenylpropanoid homeostasis when plants undergo successive developmental processes and are subjected to stressful environments. In this review, we summarize recent progress on elucidating the contribution of phenylpropanoid metabolism to the coordination of plant development and plant-environment interaction, and metabolic flux redirection among diverse metabolic routes. In addition, our review focuses on the regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, post-translational, and epigenetic levels, and in response to phytohormones and biotic and abiotic stresses.

Lipo-chitooligosaccharide signalling blocks a rapid pathogen-induced ROS burst without impeding immunity

Molecular signals released by microbes at the surface of plant roots and leaves largely determine host responses, notably by triggering either immunity or symbiosis. How these signalling pathways cross-talk upon coincident perception of pathogens and symbionts is poorly described in plants forming symbiosis. Nitrogen fixing symbiotic Rhizobia spp. and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi produce lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCOs) to initiate host symbiotic programmes. In Medicago truncatula roots, the perception of LCOs leads to reduced efflux of reactive oxygen species (ROS). By contrast, pathogen perception generally triggers a strong ROS burst and activates defence gene expression. Here we show that incubation of M. truncatula seedlings with culture filtrate (CF) of the legume pathogen Aphanomyces euteiches alone or simultaneously with Sinorhizobium meliloti LCOs, resulted in a strong ROS release. However, this response was completely inhibited if CF was added after pre-incubation of seedlings with LCOs. By contrast, expression of immunity-associated genes in response to CF and disease resistance to A. euteiches remained unaffected by LCO treatment of M. truncatula roots. Our findings suggest that symbiotic plants evolved ROS inhibition response to LCOs to facilitate early steps of symbiosis whilst maintaining a parallel defence mechanisms toward pathogens.