Fungal toxin fusicoccin enhances plant growth by upregulating 14-3-3 interaction with plasma membrane H+-ATPase

Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 8;14(1):23431. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-73979-4.

Abstract

Fusicoccin-A (FC-A) is a diterpene glucoside produced by a pathogenic fungus. Since its discovery, FC-A has been widely recognized as a phytotoxin that induces stomatal opening and leaf wilting, eventually leading to plant death. In this study, we present the first evidence that FC-A enhances plant growth by stabilizing the protein-protein interaction between plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase and 14-3-3 in guard cells. Long-term treatment of Arabidopsis plants with FC-A resulted in ~ 30% growth enhancement. Structurally similar fusicoccin-J (FC-J) showed a similar degree of growth-promotion activity as FC-A, whereas the more hydrophilic fusicoccin-H (FC-H) exhibited no effect on plant growth, indicating that the enhancement of plant growth observed with FC-A and FC-J involves upregulation of the protein-protein interaction between PM H+-ATPase and 14-3-3 in guard cells, which promotes stomatal opening and photosynthesis.

MeSH terms

  • 14-3-3 Proteins* / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis* / drug effects
  • Arabidopsis* / growth & development
  • Arabidopsis* / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane* / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane* / metabolism
  • Glycosides* / metabolism
  • Glycosides* / pharmacology
  • Mycotoxins
  • Plant Stomata / drug effects
  • Plant Stomata / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Proton-Translocating ATPases* / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • fusicoccin
  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • Proton-Translocating ATPases
  • Glycosides
  • Mycotoxins