Loss of calcium-dependent protein kinases OsCPK5 and OsCPK13 leads to NLR-dependent resistance in rice

Z Zhanchun Wang (State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) S Shibo Yu W Wencai Xu (State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) H Han Peng (State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) X Xuan Zhou (State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) A Anja Liese (Department for Biochemistry of Plant Interactions, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry) L Lilan Chen (State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) G Guitao Zhong (State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) C Chen Zhong (State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) X Xianya Deng (State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) L Libo Han (State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) N Na Liu J Justin Lee (Department for Biochemistry of Plant Interactions, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry) T Tina Romeis (Department for Biochemistry of Plant Interactions, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry) D Dingzhong Tang (State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) W Wei Wang

Abstract

Calcium (Ca 2+ ) signaling plays a crucial role in plant immunity, regulating both pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) through cell-surface receptors and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) via intracellular nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs). Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs/CDPKs) serve as key Ca 2+ sensors and signal transducers in these processes. In this study, we demonstrate the relevance of two rice CPKs, OsCPK5 and OsCPK13, for rice blast resistance. Both are Ca 2+ -responsive kinases, with potential in planta heteromer formation enhancing their phosphorylation/signaling functions. Single oscpk5 and oscpk13 mutants exhibit impaired early PTI responses and enhanced susceptibility to rice blast fungus, suggesting that these kinases are essential for effective immunity. Surprisingly, although it is also defective in PTI, the oscpk5 / 13 double mutant displays enhanced resistance to rice blast. An NLR protein OsCPK5/13-ASSOCIATING RESISTANCE PROTEIN 1 (OsCARP1), which is physically associated with both OsCPK5 and OsCPK13, is genetically required for the heightened resistance of oscpk5 / 13. Furthermore, OsCARP1-induced cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana can be suppressed by the expression of OsCPK5 and OsCPK13. Based on these findings, we postulate that the positive blast resistance roles of OsCPK5 and OsCPK13 are guarded by OsCARP1, thus leading to OsCARP1-dependent ETI resistance in the oscpk5 / 13 double mutant or upon manipulation by still unknown pathogen effectors during infection. Our results offer insights into how plants counteract potential pathogen attack on key Ca 2+ signaling immune components.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 45
Published November 11, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (16)

Z

Zhanchun Wang

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

S

Shibo Yu

W

Wencai Xu

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

H

Han Peng

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

X

Xuan Zhou

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

A

Anja Liese

Department for Biochemistry of Plant Interactions, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry

L

Lilan Chen

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

G

Guitao Zhong

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

C

Chen Zhong

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

X

Xianya Deng

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

L

Libo Han

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

N

Na Liu

J

Justin Lee

Department for Biochemistry of Plant Interactions, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry

T

Tina Romeis

Department for Biochemistry of Plant Interactions, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry

D

Dingzhong Tang

State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Plant Immunity Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

W

Wei Wang