The transcription factor ORA59 represses hypoxia responses during Botrytis cinerea infection and reoxygenation

Abstract

Transcription factors belonging to the large ethylene response factor (ERF) family are involved in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Among the ERFs, OCTADECANOID-RESPONSIVE ARABIDOPSIS 59 (ORA59) integrates ethylene and jasmonic acid signaling to regulate resistance to necrotrophic pathogens. The ERF group ERFVII encodes oxygen-labile proteins that are required for oxygen sensing and are stabilized by hypoxia established at the site of Botrytis (Botrytis cinerea) infection. Here, we show that ORA59 represses ERFVII protein activity to induce the expression of hypoxia-responsive genes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Moreover, inhibition of ethanol fermentation enhances plant tolerance to Botrytis, indicating a trade-off between the hypoxia and defense responses. In addition, ERFVII members and ORA59 are both involved in the downregulation of hypoxia-responsive genes during reoxygenation. Taken together, our results reveal that the ERFVII transcription factor-ORA59 module ensures that the multiple roles of ERFVII proteins are correctly balanced to favor plant tolerance to biotic or abiotic stresses.