RNA-seq and Ribo-seq analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana immune response

Pathogen-infected local leaves transmit the danger status to uninfected distal systemic leaves and trigger their stomatal closure as a global defense termed systemic stomatal immunity. However, the corresponding mobile signals remain unknown.

Here, we report that an upstream open reading frame (uORF) encodes a long-distance mobile peptide inducing systemic stomatal closure and named uORF-encoded systemic stomatal immune conductor (USIC). In local leaves, USIC expression is upregulated upon pathogen/pattern signals. In systemic leaves, the SIRK1 receptor and KIN7 coreceptor perceives USIC, and induces KIN7 cleavage by MC4.