Chromatin remodelling and its conserved role in plant immunity

植物免疫应答的一个主要共同部分是基因表达的重编程。受体的激活显著改变了植物基因组的表达，使细胞防御反应被激活。然而，免疫的激活伴随着严重的发育权衡，这被认为是必要的，以便优先考虑防御而不是与生长相关的细胞功能。染色质重塑是转录的主要调控因子，在植物生长和免疫中起着至关重要的作用。我们已经确定了一种染色质重塑酶（CRE1），它以一种同时增加免疫力和生长的方式改变植物的内稳态，而这种途径通常是拮抗的。该酶的拟南芥突变体（cre1）增加了叶面积，增加了根长，对病原体的抗性更强。最重要的是，在胁迫条件下，cre1比野生型植株的叶面积更大，种子产量更多。我们有兴趣利用这些酶在植物谱系中的高度保守性，努力设计高性能的番茄和芸苔植物，增加对病原体的抗性，但对生长的影响最小。考虑了两个主要的研究方向；利用CRISPR技术对CRE1进行基因编辑，并开发用于叶面应用的CRE1酶化学抑制剂。

A major common part of plant immune responses is the reprogramming of gene expression. Activation of receptors significantly alters the expression of the plant genome, enabling cellular defence responses to be activated. However, activation of immunity comes with a severe developmental trade-off assumed to be necessary in order to prioritize defence over growth-related cellular functions.Chromatin remodelling is a major regulator of transcription that plays a crucial role in plant growth, and immunity. We have identified a Chromatin-Remodelling Enzyme (CRE1) altering plant homeostasis in a manner that simultaneously increases immunity and growth - pathways that typically act antagonistically. The Arabidopsis mutant of this enzyme (cre1) has enhanced leaf area, increased root length and is more resistant to pathogens. Most importantly, under stress condition the cre1 has bigger leaf area and produces more seeds than the wild type plants. We are interested to exploit the high level of conservation of these enzymes across plant lineages in an effort to engineer high performing tomato and Brassica plants with increased resistance to pathogens, yet minimal impact upon growth. Two main lines of research are considered; gene editing of CRE1 using CRISPR technology and developing chemical inhibitors of the enzyme for foliar applications.