P-419 - Modulation of the immune gene regulatory network by elevated temperature

Plants adjust their immune response to the abiotic conditions that they encounter. We investigate dynamic gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that are induced by the defense-related hormones salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), and how they are influenced by additional hormones and abiotic stresses. Using time series RNA-seq studies, we learned that rewiring of the GRNs by combined hormone treatment is caused mainly by targeting of the SA and JA master regulators. Furthermore, preliminary qPCR-based studies indicated that elevated temperature differentially affects SA- and JA-induced gene expression, and that these effects depend on the timing and order of abiotic stress and hormone applications. Follow-up RNA-seq studies will reveal effects on GRN-scale and pinpoint to underlying mechanisms.