A light-dependent molecular link between growth and defense responses in Arabidopsis

BALLARE CARLOS L

Barcelona

Congreso; Light and Life World Congress -17th International Congress on Photobiology and 18th Congress of the European Society for Photobiology; 2019

A light-dependent molecular link between growth and defense responses in ArabidopsisCarlos L. BallaréIFEVA and IIB Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas ? Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ave. San Martín 4453, C1417DSE, Buenos Aires, Argentina and IIB-INTECH, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas?Universidad Nacional de San Martín, B1650HMP Buenos Aires, ArgentinaPlants detect and respond to the proximity of competitors using light signals perceived by photoreceptor proteins. A low ratio of red to far-red radiation (R:FR ratio) is a signal of competition that is sensed by phytochrome B (phyB). Low R:FR ratios increase the synthesis of growth-related hormones, including auxin and gibberellins. phyB is also an important modulator of hormonal pathways that regulate plant immunity against herbivores and pathogens, including the jasmonic-acid (JA) signaling pathway. Low R:FR ratios down-regulate JA-induced responses. This down-regulation helps the plant to optimize its developmental configuration and resource allocation patterns under conditions of intense competition. In this presentation, I will discuss recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms that link phyB with JA metabolism, and explore their functional implications. Unveiling the molecular links between photoreceptors and the regulators of plant immunity is important to understand how plants deal with resource allocation tradeoffs under natural conditions.