Crosstalk between salicylic acid signalling and the circadian clock promotes an effective immune response in plants

Abstract

The rotation of Earth creates a cycle of day and night, leading to predictable changes in environmental conditions. The circadian clock synchronizes an organism with these environmental changes and alters their physiology in anticipation. Prediction of the probable timing of pathogen infection enables plants to prime their immune system without wasting resources or sacrificing growth. Here, we explore the relationship between the immune hormone salicylic acid (SA), and the circadian clock in Arabidopsis. We found that SA altered circadian rhythmicity through the SA receptor and master transcriptional coactivator, NPR1. Reciprocally, the circadian clock gates SA-induced transcript levels of NPR1-dependent immune genes. Furthermore, the clock gene CCA1 is essential for SA-induced immunity to the major bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. These results build upon existing studies of the relationship between the circadian clock and SA signalling and how interactions between these systems produce an effective immune response. Understanding how and why the immune response in plants is linked to the circadian clock is crucial in working towards improved crop productivity.