Arabidopsis 14-3-3 lambda is a positive regulator of RPW8-mediated disease resistance

The RPW8 locus from Arabidopsis thaliana Ms-0 includes two functional paralogous genes (RPW8.1 and RPW8.2) and confers broad-spectrum resistance via the salicylic acid-dependent signaling pathway to the biotrophic fungal pathogens Golovinomyces spp. that cause powdery mildew diseases on multiple plant species. To identify proteins involved in regulation of the RPW8 protein function, a yeast two-hybrid screen was performed using RPW8.2 as bait. The 14-3-3 isoform lambda (designated GF14?) was identified as a potential RPW8.2 interactor. The RPW8.2–GF14? interaction was specific and engaged the C-terminal domain of RPW8.2, which was confirmed by pulldown assays. The physiological impact of the interaction was revealed by knocking down GF14? by T-DNA insertion, which compromised basal and RPW8-mediated resistance to powdery mildew. In addition, over-expression of GF14? resulted in hypersensitive response-like cell death and enhanced resistance to powdery mildew via the salicylic acid-dependent signaling pathway. The results from this study suggest that GF14? may positively regulate the RPW8.2 resistance function and play a role in enhancing basal resistance in Arabidopsis.