Calcium channel CNGC19 mediates basal defense signaling to regulate colonization of Piriformospora indica in Arabidopsis roots

Abstract

The activation of calcium signaling is a crucial event for perceiving environmental stress. Colonization by Piriformospora indica, a growth promoting root endosymbiont activates cytosolic Ca2+ in Arabidopsis roots. In this study, we analyze the role of calcium channels responsible for Ca2+ fluxes and its functional relevance. Expression profiling revealed that CNGC19 is a early activated gene, induced by unidentified components in P. indica cell wall extract. Functional analysis revealed that loss-of-function of CNGC19 results in growth inhibition by P.indica, due to increased colonization and loss of controlled P. indica growth. P. indica cell wall extract induced cytosolic Ca2+ elevation is reduced in cngc19 mutant indicating a role in generation of Ca2+cyt elevation. MAMP-trigerred immunity (MTI) is compromised in cngc19 lines as evident from unaltered callose deposition, reduced cis-OPDA, JA and JA-Ile levels and downregulation of jasmonate and other defense related genes which contributes to shift towards pathogenic response. Loss-of-function of CNGC19 results in inability to modulate indole glucosinolate content during P. indica-colonization. CNGC19 mediated basal immunity is AtPep receptor, PEPR dependent. CNGC19 is also crucial for P. indica mediated suppression of AtPep induced immunity. Thus, Arabidopsis CNGC19 is an important Ca2+ channel, maintaining a robust innate immunity and crucial for growth promotion signalling upon P. indica colonization.