Over-Expression of Soybean GmSAUL1 Enhances Disease Resistance in Nicotiana tabacum

E3 ubiquitin ligases play essential roles in plant defense responses. However, their other species have not been investigated extensively. Here, we used a gain-of-function approach to interrogate the function of GmSAUL1 (Senescence-Associated Ubiquitin Ligase 1) homologs soybeans. Ectopic over-expression GmSAUL1a Nicotiana tabacum resulted autoimmune responses that could be suppressed by high temperature, which is hallmark NLR (nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat protein)-mediated resistance. Interestingly, an elevated activation NtMPK6, but reduced NtMPK4, responding flg22 treatment, was observed these GmSAUL1a-over-expressing tobacco lines, suggesting over-expressing activates immune signaling through activating suppressing NtMPK4 kinase activity. Collectively, results demonstrated plays positive and pivotal role soybean immunity likely governed proteins.