Abstract

Plants deploy numerous cell surface-localized pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) to perceive host- and microbe-derived molecular patterns that are specifically released during infection and activate defense responses. The activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases MPK3, MPK4 and MPK6 (MPK¾/6) is a hallmark of immune system activation by all known PRRs and is crucial for establishing disease resistance. The MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) MEKK1 controls MPK4 activation, but the MAPKKKs responsible for MPK3/6 activation downstream of diverse PRRs and how the perception of diverse molecular patterns leads to the activation of MAPKKKs remain elusive. Here we show that two highly related MAPKKKs, MAPKKK3 and MAPKKK5, mediate MPK3/6 activation by at least four PRRs and confer resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens in Arabidopsis thaliana. The receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases VII (RLCK VII), which act downstream of PRRs, directly phosphorylate MAPKKK5 Ser599, which is required for pattern-triggered MPK3/6 activation, defense gene expression, and disease resistance. Surprisingly, MPK6 further phosphorylates MAPKKK5 Ser682 and Ser692 to enhance MPK3/6 activation and disease resistance, pointing to a positive feedback mechanism. Finally, MEKK1 Ser603 is phosphorylated by both RLCK VII and MPK4, which is required for pattern-triggered MPK4 activation. These findings illustrate central mechanisms by which multiple PRRs activate MAPK cascades and disease resistance.