Soybean MKK2 establishes intricate signalling pathways to regulate soybean response to cyst nematode infection

• DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13461
• Publication Date: 2024-05-02T13:15:42Z
• Authors: Tracy E. Hawk; Sarbottam Piya; Mst Shamira Sultana; Sobhan Bahrami Za...; Sarah Shipp; Nicole Coffey; Natalie B. McBride; John H. Rice; Tarek Hewezi
• Keywords: Kinome; Soybean cyst nematode

Abstract Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MPK) cascades play central signalling roles in plant immunity and stress response. The soybean orthologue of MPK kinase2 (GmMKK2) was recently identified as a potential node whose expression is upregulated the feeding site induced by cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines ). To investigate role GmMKK2 soybean–SCN interactions, we overexpressed catabolically inactive variant referred to kinase‐dead (KD‐GmMKK2) using transgenic hairy roots. KD‐GmMKK2 overexpression caused significant reduction susceptibility SCN, while wild‐type ( WT‐GmMKK2 ) exhibited no effect on susceptibility. Transcriptome analysis indicated that overexpressing plants are primed for SCN resistance via constitutive activation defence signalling, particularly those related chitin, respiratory burst, hydrogen peroxide salicylic acid. Phosphoproteomic profiling root samples upon infection resulted identification 391 targets GmMKK2. These involved broad range biological processes, including vesicle fusion, chromatin remodelling nuclear organization among others. Furthermore, mediates phosphorylation numerous transcriptional translational regulators, pointing presence shortcuts besides canonical MAPK initiate downstream eventually regulates gene translation initiation. Finally, functional requirement specific sites response validated phospho‐mimic phospho‐dead variants two differentially phosphorylated proteins SUN1 IDD4. Together, our analyses identify impacts modules regulate infection.