A kinase mediator of rhizobial symbiosis and immunity in Medicago

Dapeng Wang, Rui Jin, Xiaobao Shi, Haoran Guo, Xinhang Tan, Achen Zhao, Xinghua Lian, Huiling Dai, Shaozhuang Li, Kexu Xin, Changfu Tian, Jun Yang, Wansheng Chen, Alberto P. Macho and Ertao Wang ()
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Dapeng Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Rui Jin: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiaobao Shi: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Haoran Guo: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xinhang Tan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Achen Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xinghua Lian: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Huiling Dai: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shaozhuang Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Kexu Xin: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Changfu Tian: China Agricultural University
Jun Yang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wansheng Chen: Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Alberto P. Macho: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ertao Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature, 2025, vol. 643, issue 8072, 768-775

Abstract: Abstract Legume roots secure nitrogen by forming a symbiosis with soil rhizobia but remain resistant to pathogenic bacteria1–4. How this tolerance to rhizobia is achieved without compromising plant immunity is largely unknown. Here we identify the cytoplasmic kinase MtLICK1/2, which interacts with nodulation factor receptor MtLYK3 to drive symbiotic signalling and suppress plant immunity. Rhizobial infection and nodule development are defective in Mtlick1/2, phenocopying the Mtlyk3-1 mutant. MtLICK1/2 and MtLYK3 undergo reciprocal transphosphorylation during rhizobial symbiosis. Phosphorylated MtLYK3 activates the receptor-like kinase MtDMI2 to stimulate symbiotic signalling. MtLICK1/2 is activated in the rhizobial infection area to suppress plant immunity. Thus, MtLICK1/2 and MtLYK3 together amplify symbiotic signalling and dampen host immunity to enable legume–rhizobium symbiosis.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09057-0

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