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

植物的免疫反应与全面的转录重编程有关。最近，直接证明WRKY转录因子作为抗病正负调控因子的重要性的遗传证据已经积累起来。重要的是，WRKY蛋白在物理上连接两条不同的防御信号通路，并在功能上相互连接，形成一个由正负反馈环和前馈模块组成的转录网络。在这里，我们的目的是识别涉及WRKY转录因子的防御信号转导通路的核组件。我们计划测试NBS-LRR型免疫受体与WRKY转录因子的可能相互作用，这些转录因子已被证明参与PAMP触发和有效触发的免疫。此外，我们希望确定AtWRKY33的潜在相互作用因素和直接靶基因，AtWRKY33是一种作用于MAPK4下游的WRKY因子，在基础防御和系统获得性抗性中发挥作用。这些研究应该为WRKY因子如何作为节点整合不同的病原体触发的宿主防御信号提供有价值的见解。

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.