Identification and characterization of a novel receptor-like kinase involved in the initiation and regulation of Arabidopsis innate immunity

Abstract

Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are known to be involved in the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and subsequently activate resistance pathways against broad classes of pathogens. While initiation and maintenance of defense pathways is critical for survival, mechanisms to damp down these responses are just as necessary though currently not as well understood. We have identified CRLK1, an Arabidopsis RLK that is highly induced by chitin at early time points and localizes to the plasma membrane. Knock-out mutants in crlk1 are more susceptible to both biotrophic and necrotrophic fungal pathogens though the response of the mutants to bacterial pathogens is unaffected. Interestingly expression of MAPK3, an important positive regulator of innate immunity, is increased in crlk1 mutants. Our data show that CRLK1 is essential for the establishment of defense against biotrophic and necrotrophic fungi and that the mutation in CRLK1 does not fully block chitin-enhanced Arabidopsis resistance. We show that CRLK1 is a functional kinase in vitro and its kinase activity required the presence of manganese. Overexpression of a 35S:CRLK1: GUS fusion protein in Arabidopsis confers enhanced resistance to the powdery mildew pathogen Golovinomycetes cichoracearum. In addition, CRLK1 induction by chitin is increased in mapk3 and several wrky mutants indicating that CRLK1 may be repressed by MAPK3 and WRKY transcription factors in planta. The results presented provide important information about the function and regulation of CRLK1 in Arabidopsis. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries