Recognition of pathogen-derived sphingolipid in plants.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15528
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39040:Plant protection science-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: KATO Hiroaki 京都大学, 農学研究科, 特定研究員 (70642635)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: シロイヌナズナ / スフィンゴ脂質 / ジャガイモ疫病菌 / 卵菌 / 受容体 / セラミダーゼ / Lumi-Map

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this research, the ceramide Phytophthora infestans-Ceramide D (Pi-Cer D) from the plant pathogenic oomycete P. infestans triggers defense responses in Arabidopsis. Pi-Cer D is cleaved by an Arabidopsis apoplastic ceramidase, NEUTRAL CERAMIDASE 2 (NCER2), and the resulting 9-methyl-branched sphingoid base is recognized by a plasma membrane lectin receptor-like kinase, RESISTANT TO DFPM-INHIBITION OF ABSCISIC ACID SIGNALING 2 (RDA2). 9-Methyl-branched sphingoid base is unique to microbes and induces plant immune responses by physically interacting with RDA2. Loss of RDA2 or NCER2 function compromised Arabidopsis resistance against an oomycete pathogen. Thus, we elucidated the recognition mechanisms of pathogen-derived lipid molecules in plants

Free Research Field

植物病理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

植物の病原菌に対する防御応答において、病原菌の何をどのように認識しているか不明な点が多い。本研究では、植物が病原菌由来のセラミドを認識するしくみを世界で初めて明らかにした。今後、このしくみを応用した作物の耐病性付与に貢献することが期待される。