Signaling to plant immunity responses

International collaborations of ERA Net PG PathoNet Project empowered implementation of new methods, combinatorial analyses, including high-technology applications. We were able to define activated specific components and novel molecular interactions in plant cell signaling during plant-? pathogen interactions. Results received during this project extend the current knowledge on the level downstream of pathogen perception, including control of protein kinase activation, regulation of gene expression, metabolic changes and plant resistance to pathogens. Established synergies and effective integration of the best practices elaborated in other labs opened possibilities for new ideas, experimental joint activities, knowledge transfer, exchange of tools, methodological advancements and personal mobility. The outcome from this project indicates potential translation of gained knowledge into advanced research opportunities and agricultural/economic benefits indicated by sustainable plant cultivation. Plant pathogenic bacteria causes disease in a wide range of plants and the ability to withstand pathogenic environment is very important for plant survival. Pseudomonas syringae induce plant cell responses that activate protein phosphorylation signaling cascades in plant cells. Using model plant Arabidopsis we show that regulation of signaling by the phosphatases downstream of pathogen perception plays essential roles for plant pathogen resistance. Changes in protein phosphatase expression affected plant resistance and stress responses in plant tissues during bacterial infection. Thus, our study identified a negative regulator in plant basic immunity during P. syringae infection and suggests that precise and specific control of defined protein kinases during plant challenge with pathogenic bacteria may strongly influence plant resistance. Pathogen-related decrease in crop yields leads to high economic losses in agriculture. Understanding plant immune response mechanisms may help to reduce these costs by improving plant disease resistance. Our findings integrate within the network results on pathogen perception by receptors and identification of signaling targets and may be relevant for future application in agriculture to improve plant resistance to pathogenic bacteria and results received on model plant Arabidopsis may be assignable to other economically relevant plant species.