Two interacting transcriptional coactivators cooperatively control plant immune responses

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl7173
• Publication Date: 2021-11-05T17:57:36Z
• Authors: Huan Chen; Min Li; Guang Qi; Ming Zhao; Longyu Liu; Jingyi Zhang; Gongyou Chen; Daowen Wang; Fengquan Liu; Zheng Qing Fu
• Keywords: Mediator; NPR1; Systemic Acquired Resistance; Transcription; Cyclin-dependent kinase 8

The phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) plays a pivotal role in plant defense against biotrophic and hemibiotrophic pathogens. NPR1 EDS1 function as two central hubs local systemic immunity. However, it is unclear how orchestrates gene regulation whether directly participates transcriptional reprogramming. Here, we show that synergistically activate pathogenesis-related (PR) genes defenses by forming protein complex recruiting Mediator. We discover functions an autonomous coactivator with intrinsic transactivation domains physically interacts the CDK8 subunit of Upon SA induction, recruited onto PR1 promoter via physical NPR1-EDS1 interactions, thereby potentiating activation. further demonstrate stabilizes transcriptionally up-regulates EDS1. Our results reveal elegant interplay key coactivators Mediator elucidate important molecular mechanisms for activating transcription during immune responses.