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Concurrent Session

Session: Concurrent Session: Discrimination of friend from foe (2)

CELLOX1 orchestrates DAMP-triggered immunity in root responses to symbiotic and pathogenic fungi

Wednesday, July 16, 2025
11:35 - 11:50  
Location: Room M+N

    Presenting Author(s)

  • GP

    Giulia Peruzzi

    Doctoral researcher
    University of Rome La Sapienza
    Rome, Lazio, Italy

    • Author(s)

  • Sv

    Sarah van Boerdonk

    Doctoral candidate
    Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research
    Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

  • NF

    Natalie Finke

    Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne
    Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

  • SP

    Sena Parlak

    Doctoral candidate
    Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, The Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
    Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

  • SG

    Sarah Giulietti (she/her/hers)

    University of Rome La Sapienza
    Rome, Italy, ITALY

  • GD

    Giulia De lorenzo

    Professor
    University of Rome La Sapienza
    Rome, Lazio, Italy

  • DP

    Daniela Pontiggia

    RTDB
    University of Rome La Sapienza
    Rome, Lazio, Italy

  • AZ

    Alga Zuccaro (she/her/hers)

    Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, The Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)
    Köln, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Abstract Text:

Plants constantly interact with fungi which exert beneficial, neutral, or detrimental effects on their survival. A critical checkpoint in this process is the early modulation of plant immune responses.  Fungal damage to plant cell walls triggers the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which, when recognized by the plant, activate immunity. While DAMP-mediated immunity is well-characterized in pathogen defense, its role in beneficial fungal interactions remains understudied. In Arabidopsis thaliana, CELLOX1, a berberine-bridge enzyme-like oxidase, regulates DAMP-triggered immunity by oxidizing cellodextrins and mixed-linked glucans, thereby suppressing their immunogenicity. This may enhance resistance to pathogenic fungi by promoting reactive oxygen species production and converting DAMPs into non-digestible fragments. Here, we show that CELLOX1 regulates root immunity and influences interaction with the beneficial fungus Serendipita indica. Knockout of CELLOX1 enhances both intra and extra-radical fungal colonization leading to stronger growth-promoting and protective effects against the pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana. This is accompanied by increased immune responses and root cell death. Conversely, CELLOX1 overexpression reduces fungal colonization, diminishes beneficial effects and lowers immune activation. Our results uncover a novel role for CELLOX1 in fine-tuning root immunity, shaping the outcome of beneficial and pathogenic fungal interactions.