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Deciphering phenylalanine-derived salicylic acid biosynthesis in plants

Author

Listed:
  • Yukang Wang

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Shuyan Song

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Wenxuan Zhang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Qianwen Deng

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Yanlei Feng

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Mei Tao

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Mengna Kang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Qi Zhang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Lijia Yang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Xinyu Wang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Changan Zhu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Xiaowen Wang

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Wanxin Zhu

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Yixiao Zhu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Pengfei Cao

    (Michigan State University)

  • Jia Chen

    (Westlake University)

  • Jinheng Pan

    (Westlake University)

  • Shan Feng

    (Westlake University)

  • Xianyan Chen

    (Zhejiang Laboratory)

  • Huaxin Dai

    (Changping)

  • Shiyong Song

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Jinghua Yang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Tianlun Zhao

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Fangbin Cao

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Zeng Tao

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Xingxing Shen

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Robert L. Last

    (Michigan State University
    Michigan State University)

  • Jianping Hu

    (Michigan State University
    Michigan State University)

  • Jingquan Yu

    (Zhejiang University
    Agricultural Ministry of China)

  • Pengxiang Fan

    (Zhejiang University
    Agricultural Ministry of China)

  • Ronghui Pan

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA) is a ubiquitous plant hormone with a long history in human civilization1,2. Because of the central role of SA in orchestrating plant pathogen defence, understanding SA biosynthesis is fundamental to plant immunity research and crop improvement. Isochorismate-derived SA biosynthesis has been well defined in Arabidopsis. However, increasing evidence suggests a crucial function for phenylalanine-derived SA biosynthesis in many other plant species1. Here we reveal the phenylalanine-derived SA biosynthetic pathway in rice by identifying three dedicated enzymes — peroxisomal benzoyl-CoA:benzyl alcohol benzoyltransferase (BEBT), the endoplasmic reticulum-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme benzylbenzoate hydroxylase (BBH), and cytosolic benzylsalicylate esterase (BSE) that sequentially convert benzoyl-CoA to benzylbenzoate, benzylsalicylate and SA. The pathogen-induced gene expression pattern and SA biosynthetic functions of this triple-enzyme module are conserved in diverse plants. This work fills a major knowledge gap in the biosynthesis of a key plant defence hormone, establishing a foundation for new strategies to create disease-resistant crops.

Suggested Citation

  • Yukang Wang & Shuyan Song & Wenxuan Zhang & Qianwen Deng & Yanlei Feng & Mei Tao & Mengna Kang & Qi Zhang & Lijia Yang & Xinyu Wang & Changan Zhu & Xiaowen Wang & Wanxin Zhu & Yixiao Zhu & Pengfei Cao, 2025. "Deciphering phenylalanine-derived salicylic acid biosynthesis in plants," Nature, Nature, vol. 645(8079), pages 208-217, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:645:y:2025:i:8079:d:10.1038_s41586-025-09280-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09280-9
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