An analysis of the roles of reactive oxygen species and RBOHD in Arabidopsis immune response

Abstract

The immune response in plants differs from that of animals. Plants are capable of recognizing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that are activated via pattern triggered immunity (PTI); however, plants also rely on reactive oxygen species (ROSs) in order to be alerted to potential pathogens. Respiratory oxidase homologs (RBOHs), a form of NADPH oxidases, are the producers of ROSs during PTI. A relevant type of RBOH in Arabidopsis is RBOHD. pbl13 Arabidopsis mutants show increased resistance to bacterial infection, but the mechanism remains unclear. The research indicates that PBL13 is negatively regulated via a RING domain E3 ubiquitin ligase(PIRE) and is, in part with PIRE, responsible for phosphorylation of RBOHD resulting in increased ROS production.