Comparisons of two receptor pathways in a single cell-type reveal features of signalling specificity

Summary

To respond appropriately to diverse stimuli, cells harbour numerous receptor pathways yet share downstream signalling components. Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MPK) cascades, present in all eukaryotes, act as central hubs shared amongst diverse signalling pathways. How signalling specificity is maintained within a single plant cell-type is not well understood. We engineered a genetic background for direct comparisons of a developmental and an immunity pathway in the Arabidopsis root endodermis. We show the two pathways maintain distinct outputs despite similar MPK phosphorylation patterns. Systematic activation of all individual MPK Kinases (MKKs) in the endodermis revealed that different MKK groups can drive distinct outputs. We propose that specificity is achieved through a balance of combinatorial activation and cross-pathway inhibition within the MPK cascade. Our findings demonstrate the ability of MPK cascades to generate diverse outputs in one plant cell-type, providing new insights into the mechanisms contributing to signalling specificity.