RALF–FERONIA Signaling: Linking Plant Immune Response with Cell Growth

Abstract

Plants perceive various external and internal signals to self-modulate biological processes through members of the receptor-like kinase (RLK) family, among which Catharanthus roseus receptor-like kinase 1-like ( Cr RLK1L) proteins with their ligands, rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) peptides, have attracted considerable interest. FERONIA (FER), a Cr RLK1L member, was initially reported to act as a major plant cell growth modulator in distinct tissues. Subsequently, the RALF–FER pathway was confirmed to function as an essential regulator of plant stress responses, including but not limited to immune responses. Furthermore, the RALF–FER pathway modulates immune responses and cell growth in a context-specific manner, and the vital roles of this pathway are beginning to be appreciated in crop species. The recent remarkable advances in understanding the functions and molecular mechanisms of the RALF–FER pathway have also raised many interesting questions that need to be answered in the future. This review mainly focuses on the roles of FER and other Cr RLK1L members in modulating immune responses in the context of cell growth in response to their RALF peptide ligands and presents a brief outlook for future research.

Integrative analyses of targeted metabolome and transcriptome of Isatidis Radix autotetraploids highlighted key polyploidization-responsive regulators

“…Regarding the kinase genes upregulated by polyploidization, the receptor-like protein kinase FERONIA was of particular interest (Table 1 ). In Arabidopsis, the couple of extracellular peptide RAPID ALKALINIZATION FACTOR1 (RALF1) and FERONIA (FER) acted as a central hub between the cell surface and downstream signaling events, and the RALF–FER pathway functioned as an essential regulator of plant stress responses [ 30 ]. Furthermore, the RALF1-FER-GRP7 module provided a paradigm for regulatory mechanisms of RNA splicing to regulate plant fitness and flowering time [ 30 , 31 ].…”

“…In Arabidopsis, the couple of extracellular peptide RAPID ALKALINIZATION FACTOR1 (RALF1) and FERONIA (FER) acted as a central hub between the cell surface and downstream signaling events, and the RALF–FER pathway functioned as an essential regulator of plant stress responses [ 30 ]. Furthermore, the RALF1-FER-GRP7 module provided a paradigm for regulatory mechanisms of RNA splicing to regulate plant fitness and flowering time [ 30 , 31 ]. Glycine-rich proteins (GRPs) were demonstrated to participate in cold stress responses, plant defense, cell elongation and fertility.…”

Novel QTL Associated with Shoot Branching Identified in Doubled Haploid Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Low Nitrogen Cultivation

“…Another set of interesting genes, such as OsGPX3, was earlier reported to be involved in the development of the roots and shoot in rice, in the stress response mechanisms [ 55 ], and abscisic acid (ABA) response in rice [ 56 ]; OsDhn1 , earlier suggested to be involved in abiotic stress response in rice [ 57 , 58 ]; OsRALF8 [ 86 ], previously reported to play a critical role in the regulation of plant defense and development (inhibition or suppression of growth) [ 59 ], could play important roles in the control of shoot branching, while maintaining a balanced plant growth and development under low nitrogen cultivation in rice. Nietzsche et al [ 60 ] supported that carbohydrates regulate different aspects of plant growth via the modulation of cell division and expansion.…”

Loss of a plant receptor kinase recruits beneficial rhizosphere-associatedPseudomonas

“…Interestingly, root associated Pseudomonas spp. are enriched in disease suppressive soil towards either Fusarium oxysporum or nematodes 18,46 suggesting that pathogen manipulation of FER signaling in crops 47,48 is a possible mechanism for increased Pseudomonas after pathogen attack. Collectively this work has the potential to guide novel breeding and microbiome engineering practices in agriculture through manipulation of FER signaling.…”