Balanced callose and cellulose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis quorum-sensing signaling and pattern-triggered immunity

The plant cell wall (CW) is one of the most important physical barriers that phytopathogens must conquer to invade their hosts. This barrier is a dynamic structure that responds to pathogen infection through a complex network of immune receptors, together with CW-synthesizing and CW-degrading enzymes. Callose deposition in the primary CW is a well-known physical response to pathogen infection. Notably, callose and cellulose biosynthesis share an initial substrate, UDP-glucose, which is the main load-bearing component of the CW. However, how these 2 critical biosynthetic processes are balanced during plant-pathogen interactions remains unclear. Here, using 2 different pathogen-derived molecules, bacterial flagellin (flg22) and the diffusible signal factor (DSF) produced by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, we show a negative correlation between cellulose and callose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). By quantifying the abundance of callose and cellulose under DSF or flg22 elicitation and characterizing the dynamics of the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of these 2 polymers, we show that the balance of these 2 CW components is mediated by the activity of a beta-1,3-glucanase (BG2). Our data demonstrate balanced cellulose and callose biosynthesis during plant immune responses. The biosynthesis of callose and cellulose polymers is negatively associated in plant immune signaling through the beta-1,3-glucanase activity.

Automated summary

The plant cell wall is an important physical barrier for phytopathogens to invade their hosts, and it responds to pathogen infection through a complex network of immune receptors. This study found a negative correlation between cellulose and callose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis, and this balance is mediated by the activity of a beta-1,3-glucanase.