Defining nuclear components of the PAMP-triggered and Effector-triggered immune responses mediated by AtWRKY transcription factors

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Plant immune responses are associated with comprehensive transcriptional reprogramming. Recently, genetic evidence directly proving the significance of WRKY transcription factors as positive and negative regulators of disease resistance has accumulated. Importantly, WRKY proteins were shown to act as interfaces physically linking two distinct defense signaling pathways and to be functionally connected forming a transcriptional network composed of positive and negative feedback loops and feed-forward modules. Here we aim at identifying nuclear components of the defense signaling transduction pathways involving WRKY transcription factors. We plan to test the possible interaction of NBS-LRR type immune receptors with WRKY transcription factors that have been shown to be involved in PAMP-triggered and effectortriggered immunity. Furthermore, we want to identify potential interactors and direct target genes of AtWRKY33, a WRKY factor acting downstream of the MAP kinase MPK4 in basal defense and systemic acquired resistance. These studies should provide valuable insights on how WRKY factors function as nodes to integrate distinct pathogen-triggered host defense signals.