14‐3‐3 proteins orchestrate rice immunity through protein turnover and redox signaling

Abstract 14‐3‐3 proteins are a highly conserved family of regulatory proteins that orchestrate diverse cellular processes through interactions with phosphorylated target proteins. Recent studies have identified rice 14‐3‐3 proteins as pivotal regulators of plant immunity, revealing both positive and negative roles in defense against the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae . OsGF14f and OsGF14c function as positive regulators by linking chitin perception to nuclear transcriptional reprogramming through an OsRLCK185–OsPUB20 signaling cascade, ultimately promoting the degradation of the defense suppressor OsWRKY42. In contrast, OsGF14d acts as a negative regulator of immunity by facilitating the oxidative activation of the transcription factor BSR‐D1, thereby enhancing the expression of hydrogen peroxide‐scavenging genes. Together, these findings establish 14‐3‐3 proteins as versatile signaling hubs that integrate phosphorylation, ubiquitination, redox regulation, and transcriptional control to fine‐tune plant immune responses. This article summarizes these recent advances and discusses future research directions for elucidating the diverse functions of 14‐3‐3 proteins in rice immunity, as well as their potential applications in engineering broad‐spectrum and durable disease resistance in crops.