The OsSAPK10-OsPAL1 module contributes to rice blast resistance

The SnRK2 gene family plays important roles in ABA mediated abiotic stress responses. However, the roles and functional mechanism of the SnRK2 gene family in plant immunity are largely unknown. In this study, we report that OsSAPK10, a SnRK2 gene family protein in rice, positively regulates rice blast resistance. The ossapk10 mutation reduced rice blast resistance and overexpression of OsSAPK10 increased it. Furthermore, OsSAPK10 phosphorylates OsPAL1, a positive regulator of rice blast resistance, at Ser 82 to stabilize it. Knocking out OsPAL1 also reduced rice blast resistance. Taken together, our findings revealed that OsSAPK10 positively regulates rice immunity via phosphorylating and stabilizing OsPAL1, providing new insight into the functional mechanism of the SnRK2 gene family in biotic stress responses.