Spatial IMA1 regulation restricts root iron acquisition on MAMP perception

Min Cao, Matthieu Pierre Platre, Huei Hsuan Tsai, Ling Zhang, Tatsuya Nobori, Laia Armengot, Yintong Chen, Wenrong He, Lukas Brent, Nuria S. Coll, Joseph R. Ecker, Niko Geldner, Wolfgang Busch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Iron is critical during host–microorganism interactions 1–4. Restriction of available iron by the host during infection is an important defence strategy, described as nutritional immunity 5. However, this poses a conundrum for externally facing, absorptive tissues such as the gut epithelium or the plant root epidermis that generate environments that favour iron bioavailability. For example, plant roots acquire iron mostly from the soil and, when iron deficient, increase iron availability through mechanisms that include rhizosphere acidification and secretion of iron chelators 6–9. Yet, the elevated iron bioavailability would also be beneficial for the growth of bacteria that threaten plant health. Here we report that microorganism-associated molecular patterns such as flagellin lead to suppression of root iron acquisition through a localized degradation of the systemic iron-deficiency signalling peptide Iron Man 1 (IMA1) in Arabidopsis thaliana. This response is also elicited when bacteria enter root tissues, but not when they dwell on the outer root surface. IMA1 itself has a role in modulating immunity in root and shoot, affecting the levels of root colonization and the resistance to a bacterial foliar pathogen. Our findings reveal an adaptive molecular mechanism of nutritional immunity that affects iron bioavailability and uptake, as well as immune responses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)750-759
Number of pages10
JournalNature
Volume625
Issue number7996
Early online date10 Jan 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jan 2024

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