Biomaterial Database

Chemokine-like MDL proteins modulate flowering time and innate immunity in plants. 2021

Katrin Gruner, and Franz Leissing, and Dzmitry Sinitski, and Hannah Thieron, and Christian Axstmann, and Kira Baumgarten, and Anja Reinstädler, and Pascal Winkler, and Melina Altmann, and Andrew Flatley, and Maëlle Jaouannet, and Krzysztof Zienkiewicz, and Ivo Feussner, and Harald Keller, and Christine Coustau, and Pascal Falter-Braun, and Regina Feederle, and Jürgen Bernhagen, and Ralph Panstruga

RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Biology I, Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Aachen, Germany.

Human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an atypical chemokine implicated in intercellular signaling and innate immunity. MIF orthologs (MIF/D-DT-like proteins, MDLs) are present throughout the plant kingdom, but remain experimentally unexplored in these organisms. Here, we provide an in planta characterization and functional analysis of the three-member gene/protein MDL family in Arabidopsis thaliana. Subcellular localization experiments indicated a nucleo-cytoplasmic distribution of MDL1 and MDL2, while MDL3 is localized to peroxisomes. Protein-protein interaction assays revealed the in vivo formation of MDL1, MDL2, and MDL3 homo-oligomers, as well as the formation of MDL1-MDL2 hetero-oligomers. Functionally, Arabidopsismdl mutants exhibited a delayed transition from vegetative to reproductive growth (flowering) under long-day conditions, but not in a short-day environment. In addition, mdl mutants were more resistant to colonization by the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola. The latter phenotype was compromised by the additional mutation of SALICYLIC ACID INDUCTION DEFICIENT 2 (SID2), a gene implicated in the defense-induced biosynthesis of the key signaling molecule salicylic acid. However, the enhanced antibacterial immunity was not associated with any constitutive or pathogen-induced alterations in the levels of characteristic phytohormones or defense-associated metabolites. Interestingly, bacterial infection triggered relocalization and accumulation of MDL1 and MDL2 at the peripheral lobes of leaf epidermal cells. Collectively, our data indicate redundant functionality and a complex interplay between the three chemokine-like Arabidopsis MDL proteins in the regulation of both developmental and immune-related processes. These insights expand the comparative cross-kingdom analysis of MIF/MDL signaling in human and plant systems.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007113	Immunity, Innate	The capacity of a normal organism to remain unaffected by microorganisms and their toxins. It results from the presence of naturally occurring ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS, constitutional factors such as BODY TEMPERATURE and immediate acting immune cells such as NATURAL KILLER CELLS.	Immunity, Native,Immunity, Natural,Immunity, Non-Specific,Resistance, Natural,Innate Immune Response,Innate Immunity,Immune Response, Innate,Immune Responses, Innate,Immunity, Non Specific,Innate Immune Responses,Native Immunity,Natural Immunity,Natural Resistance,Non-Specific Immunity
D010935	Plant Diseases	Diseases of plants.	Disease, Plant,Diseases, Plant,Plant Disease
D017360	Arabidopsis	A plant genus of the family BRASSICACEAE that contains ARABIDOPSIS PROTEINS and MADS DOMAIN PROTEINS. The species A. thaliana is used for experiments in classical plant genetics as well as molecular genetic studies in plant physiology, biochemistry, and development.	Arabidopsis thaliana,Cress, Mouse-ear,A. thaliana,A. thalianas,Arabidopses,Arabidopsis thalianas,Cress, Mouse ear,Cresses, Mouse-ear,Mouse-ear Cress,Mouse-ear Cresses,thaliana, A.,thaliana, Arabidopsis,thalianas, A.
D044224	Pseudomonas syringae	A species of gram-negative, fluorescent, phytopathogenic bacteria in the genus PSEUDOMONAS. It is differentiated into approximately 50 pathovars with different plant pathogenicities and host specificities.	Pseudomonas syringae subsp. syringae
D018506	Gene Expression Regulation, Plant	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control of gene action in plants.	Plant Gene Expression Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression, Plant,Regulation, Gene Expression, Plant
D018925	Chemokines	Class of pro-inflammatory cytokines that have the ability to attract and activate leukocytes. They can be divided into at least three structural branches: C; (CHEMOKINES, C); CC; (CHEMOKINES, CC); and CXC; (CHEMOKINES, CXC); according to variations in a shared cysteine motif.	Chemokine,Chemotactic Cytokine,Chemotactic Cytokines,Cytokines, Chemotactic,Intercrine,Intercrines,Cytokine, Chemotactic
D029681	Arabidopsis Proteins	Proteins that originate from plants species belonging to the genus ARABIDOPSIS. The most intensely studied species of Arabidopsis, Arabidopsis thaliana, is commonly used in laboratory experiments.	Arabidopsis thaliana Proteins,Thale Cress Proteins,Proteins, Arabidopsis thaliana,thaliana Proteins, Arabidopsis
D035264	Flowers	The reproductive organs of plants.	Blooms, Plant,Blossoms,Pistil,Plant Style,Anther, Plant,Carpal, Plant,Carpals, Plant,Filament, Flower,Flower Filament,Ovary, Plant,Petals, Plant,Plant Anther,Plant Calyx,Plant Carpals,Plant Corolla,Plant Ovary,Plant Petals,Plant Sepals,Plant Stamen,Plant Stigma,Sepals, Plant,Stamen, Plant,Stigma, Plant,Style, Plant,Anthers, Plant,Bloom, Plant,Blossom,Calyx, Plant,Calyxs, Plant,Corolla, Plant,Corollas, Plant,Filaments, Flower,Flower,Flower Filaments,Ovaries, Plant,Petal, Plant,Pistils,Plant Anthers,Plant Bloom,Plant Blooms,Plant Calyxs,Plant Carpal,Plant Corollas,Plant Ovaries,Plant Petal,Plant Sepal,Plant Stamens,Plant Stigmas,Plant Styles,Sepal, Plant,Stamens, Plant,Stigmas, Plant,Styles, Plant