The research team led by Prof. Xueping Zhou from Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Zhejiang University published a research article entitled “A pathogen-induced translational shift enhances plant disease resistance without obvious fitness costs” in aBIOTECH, systematically establishing a technical system for regulating plant resistance gene expression based on upstream AUG (uAUG) via translation shift. This work provides key technical support and a practical foundation for the efficient utilization of resistance genes and the innovation of disease-resistant germplasm.
Based on the team’s systematic analysis of the expression patterns of geminivirus effectors (cC4 and mC4) in China and in-depth exploration of the regulatory mechanisms underlying plant endogenous gene expression, together with their previous studies published in Plant Communications (2024) and Nature Communications (2026), the team successfully constructed a technical system for the specific regulation of resistance gene expression via uAUG-mediated mechanisms. Using this system, they created novel disease-resistant germplasm with no adverse effects on yield or quality, providing important technical support for the precise prevention and control of plant disease epidemics.
Previous work from Prof. Zhou’s team revealed that approximately 20% of Begomovirus isolates carry two in-frame AUGs in the C4 gene. Protein mass spectrometry confirmed that these viruses encode two C4 proteins with distinct subcellular localizations: chloroplast-localized C4 (cC4) and membrane-associated C4 (mC4) ( Plant Communications , 2024; Nature Communications , 2026). Inspired by the geminivirus strategy of expressing different viral effectors via in-frame AUGs, the team performed a genome-wide screen of 35,386 protein-coding genes in Arabidopsis thaliana , focusing on functional genes containing in-frame AUGs. Systematic proteomic analysis in Arabidopsis identified 14 genes harboring in-frame AUGs that encode proteins sharing functional domains similar to geminivirus C4.
The team selected PI4KIII β1 — a key gene negatively regulating the salicylic acid signaling pathway — for in-depth characterization. They demonstrated that PI4KIII β1 encodes two protein isoforms with distinct localizations: a longer variant (chloroplast-localized) and a shorter variant (membrane-localized). Expression profiling of the two isoforms showed that the 5'UTR of PI4KIII β1 responds to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (e.g., flg22) and controls the selective expression of each isoform. Using a GFP reporter system combined with cycloheximide (CHX) treatment assays, the team further verified that the PI4KIII β1 5'UTR responds to pathogen-associated molecular patterns and specifically mediates protein translation reprogramming, including the selection of translation initiation sites. Based on these findings, the team used the PI4KIII β1 5'UTR as a core element and systematically optimized the cis-elements containing in-frame AUGs. They successfully constructed a PI4KIII β1 5'UTR cassette that tightly regulates reporter gene expression and specifically responds to multiple pathogen-associated molecular patterns, including flg22 and chitin.
The team selected the HIR1 gene — previously identified as conferring broad-spectrum resistance against multiple pathogens ( New Phytologist , 2020) — as the target gene for application. Using transgenic technology, they generated stable genetic lines in which HIR1 expression is driven by the PI4KIII β1 5'UTR cassette. Phenotypic and yield-related analyses showed that these transgenic plants exhibited no significant differences from wild-type plants in key traits such as leaf morphology and single-plant seed weight. Pathogen inoculation assays further confirmed that the transgenic lines display excellent broad-spectrum resistance to fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
In summary, this study identified and established a technical system for the specific regulation of plant resistance gene expression through protein translation reprogramming, offering a new strategy for the efficient utilization of resistance genes and the rapid development of disease-resistant germplasm.
See the article:
A pathogen-induced translational shift enhances plant disease resistance without obvious fitness costs https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2662173826000391
aBIOTECH
A pathogen-induced translational shift enhances plant disease resistance without obvious fitness costs
17-Feb-2026