Light prevents pathogen-induced aqueous microenvironments via potentiation of salicylic acid signaling

• Published in: Nature communications 2023-02, Vol.14 (1), p.713-713, Article 713
• Main Authors: Lajeunesse, Gaële, Roussin-Léveillée, Charles, Boutin, Sophie, Fortin, Élodie, Laforest-Lapointe, Isabelle, Moffett, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 14/19; 140/58; 38; 38/77; 38/88; 631/449/2169/2673; 631/449/2686; Abscisic acid; Abscisic Acid - pharmacology; Accumulation; Aqueous environments; Arabidopsis - physiology; Arabidopsis Proteins; Bioaccumulation; Darkness; Environmental conditions; Humanities and Social Sciences; Light; Microenvironments; multidisciplinary; Pathogens; Plant bacterial diseases; Plant Stomata - physiology; Pseudomonas; Pseudomonas syringae; Salicylic Acid; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Signaling; Soaking; Stomata; Transpiration; Virulence; Water
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36382-7

Many plant pathogens induce water-soaked lesions in infected tissues. In the case of Pseudomonas syringae ( Pst ), water-soaking effectors stimulate abscisic acid (ABA) production and signaling, resulting in stomatal closure. This reduces transpiration, increases water accumulation, and induces an apoplastic microenvironment favorable for bacterial growth. Stomata are sensitive to environmental conditions, including light. Here, we show that a period of darkness is required for water-soaking, and that a constant light regime abrogates stomatal closure by Pst . We find that constant light induces resistance to Pst , and that this effect requires salicylic acid (SA). Constant light did not alter effector-induced accumulation of ABA, but induced greater SA production, promoting stomatal opening despite the presence of ABA. Furthermore, application of a SA analog was sufficient to prevent pathogen-induced stomatal closure and water-soaking. Our results suggest potential approaches for interfering with a common virulence strategy, as well as providing a physiological mechanism by which SA functions in defense against pathogens. Pseudomonas syringae alters plant abscisic acid signaling to close stomata and induce water accumulation in infected tissues. Light and salicylic acid counteract infection by promoting stomatal opening, depriving bacteria of an aqueous environment.