Arabidopsis AZI1 family proteins mediate signal mobilization for systemic defence priming

Abstract

Priming is a major mechanism behind the immunological ‘memory’ observed during two key plant systemic defences: systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced systemic resistance (ISR). Lipid-derived azelaic acid (AZA) is a mobile priming signal. Here, we show that the lipid transfer protein (LTP)-like AZI1 and its closest paralog EARLI1 are necessary for SAR, ISR and the systemic movement and uptake of AZA in Arabidopsis. Imaging and fractionation studies indicate that AZI1 and EARLI1 localize to expected places for lipid exchange/movement to occur. These are the ER/plasmodesmata, chloroplast outer envelopes and membrane contact sites between them. Furthermore, these LTP-like proteins form complexes and act at the site of SAR establishment. The plastid targeting of AZI1 and AZI1 paralogs occurs through a mechanism that may enable/facilitate their roles in signal mobilization. Azelaic acid (AZA) is a mobile signal that is thought to induce defence responses in plants in tissues distal from the initial infection site. Here, Cecchiniet al. propose that AZI1, a plastid-targeted lipid transfer protein that is necessary for the movement and priming functions of AZA.