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MAP4K4 associates with BIK1 to regulate plant innate immunity.

Yunhe JiangBaoda HanHuoming ZhangKiruthiga Gayathri MariappanJean BigeardJean ColcombetHeribert Hirt
Published in: EMBO reports (2019)
To perceive pathogens, plants employ pattern recognition receptor (PRR) complexes, which then transmit these signals via the receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase BIK1 to induce defense responses. How BIK1 activity and stability are controlled is still not completely understood. Here, we show that the Hippo/STE20 homolog MAP4K4 regulates BIK1-mediated immune responses. MAP4K4 associates and phosphorylates BIK1 at Ser233, Ser236, and Thr242 to ensure BIK1 stability and activity. Furthermore, MAP4K4 phosphorylates PP2C38 at Ser77 to enable flg22-induced BIK1 activation. Our results uncover that a Hippo/STE20 homolog, MAP4K4, maintains the homeostasis of the central immune component BIK1.
Keyphrases
  • immune response
  • high density
  • oxidative stress
  • diabetic rats