Dynamic cell wall remodeling during plant-microbe interaction

Introduction

Plants have a strong yet extensible wall as their outermost layer, which is indispensable for the survival of the cell and permits cell adhesion. The plant cell wall (CW) plays an essential role in response to biotic stress, as it constitutes the first contact substrate for microbes.

Research Findings

Our findings using the model pathosystem consisting of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana and a root pathogen that can infect it, Fusarium oxysporum (Fo), confirm that the plant CW is not the static barrier it has been seen as until recently.

On the contrary, based on our preliminary data, we hypothesize that plant CW remodeling at the subcellular level plays an essential role in the outcome of the plant-microbe interaction. This might explain the sophisticated mechanisms of plant-endophyte (pathogen, neutral, or beneficial) co-evolution.

Project Goals

Our work has established a foundation of tools that provide a timely and unprecedented opportunity to test this idea. We aim to:

1. Elucidate the role of root-specific CW composition and its dynamic changes in root-Fo interaction.
2. Use this knowledge to modulate the CW properties of the root cell layers to reduce Fo pathogenesis while maintaining beneficial endophytism.

Methodology

Through a unique combination of well-established and high-risk/high-gain molecular, biochemical, bioimaging, and genetics approaches, this project will provide groundbreaking insights into:

• The molecular mechanisms underlying CW-dependent establishment and regulation of innate immune signaling in plants.
• General mechanisms that control plant-microbe interaction outside the plasma membranes.

Expected Outcomes

The knowledge gained from this work will advance our current understanding of plant-microbe co-evolution. In addition, we will generate innovative methodologies that will be applicable in designing strategies to reduce damage caused by vascular pathogens in crops.