J Integr Plant Biol.

• Research Article • Previous Articles    

A prominent role of the circadian proteins PRR5 and PRR7 in governing Arabidopsis immunity

Shaoqin Li1,2,3, Hailin Wang1, Zumei Ye1,4, Zhiju Fu1, Yanyu Ru1,4, Yongping Yang1,4, Kongfen Wu1, Diqiu Yu1,2,5* and Yanjuan Jiang1,2,3*   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio‐Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University,Kunming 650500, China

    2. Yunnan Key Laboratory of Basic Research and Innovative Application for Green Biological Production, Yunnan University, Kunming650500, China

    3. Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Tropical Plant Resources and Sustainable Use, Xishuangbanna Tropical BotanicalGarden, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China

    4. School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China

    5. Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming 650092, China

    *Correspondences: Yanjuan Jiang (yanjuanjiang@ynu.edu.cn, Dr. Jiang is fully responsible for the distributions of all materialsassociated with this article); Diqiu Yu (ydq@ynu.edu.cn)

  • Received:2025-10-30 Accepted:2026-01-31 Online:2026-02-25
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (32560075 and 32360082), the Yunnan Applied Basic Research Projects (202505AS350005, 202401AS070122, and 202401BC070005), and the “Double First‐Class”Construction Program of Yunnan University (CZ22621802).

Abstract: The circadian clock is an endogenous timekeeping mechanism that coordinates diverse biological processes across diverse organisms. Emerging evidence recently underscores its critical role in modulating plant immune responses. Salicylic acid (SA) is a central phytohormone in plant immunity; however, the molecular mechanisms by which clock components influence SA signaling under biotic stress are poorly understood. Here, we report the pivotal role of the core clock components, PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR 5 (PRR5) and PRR7, in governing Arabidopsis immunity by direct suppression of SA signaling. We found that the transcriptional outputs of SA signaling showed rhythmic expression and were remarkably affected by PRR5 and PRR7. Genetic analyses revealed that PRR5 and PRR7 function genetically upstream of the SA receptor NONEXPRESSER OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1) to inhibit SA-mediated defenses. Biochemical assays confirmed physical interactions among PRR5/7, NPR1, and TGA3, highlighting a direct mechanism whereby PRR5/7 antagonize the transcriptional activity of the NPR1–TGA3 complex. The prr5 prr7 double mutant not only showed enhanced SA signaling but also boosted pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity, highlighting their broad inhibitory function in plant immunity. These findings provide critical insights into the temporal dynamics of plant immunity and reveal key molecular targets for breeding crop varieties with an optimized balance between growth and immunity.

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