Global characterization of OsPIP aquaporins reveals that the H2O2 transporter OsPIP2;6 increases resistance to rice blast

Abstract

Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) are conserved plant aquaporins that transport small molecules across the plasma membrane to trigger instant stress responses and maintain cellular homeostasis under biotic and abiotic stress. To elucidate their roles in plant immunity to pathogen attack, we characterized the expression patterns, subcellular localizations, and H₂O₂-transport ability of 11 OsPIPs in rice (Oryza sativa), and identified OsPIP2;6 as necessary for rice disease resistance. OsPIP2;6 resides on the plasma membrane and facilitates cytoplasmic import of the immune signaling molecule H₂O₂. Knockout of OsPIP2;6 increases rice susceptibility to Magnaporthe oryzae, indicating a positive function in plant immunity. OsPIP2;6 interacts with OsPIP2;2, which has been reported to increase rice resistance to pathogens via H₂O₂ transport. Our findings suggest that OsPIP2;6 cooperates with OsPIP2;2 as a defense signal transporter complex during plant–pathogen interaction.