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Bacteria-derived lipopeptides are immunogenic triggers of host defences in metazoans and plants. Root-associated rhizobacteria produce cyclic lipopeptides that activate induced systemic resistance against microbial infection in various plant species. Whether and how these molecules are perceived at the plant cell surface remains elusive. Here we reveal that immune activation in Arabidopsis thaliana by the lipopeptide elicitor surfactin is mediated via a specific interaction with membrane sphingolipids. It relies on host membrane remodelling and subsequent activation of mechanosensitive ion channels. This mechanism leads to host defence potentiation and resistance to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea and appears distinct from pattern-triggered immunity induced by classical host pattern recognition receptors. These results reveal a previously uncharacterized mechanism through which lipopeptides derived from non-pathogenic bacteria activate plant immune responses.

The British Journal of Haematology publishes original research papers in clinical, laboratory and experimental haematology. The Journal also features annotations, reviews, short reports, images in haematology and Letters to the Editor.

Host membrane permeability; Ion channel; New permeation pathways By replicating within red blood cells, malaria parasites are largely hidden from immune recognition, but parasites enter an unusual closed environment where some nutrients are limited and where accumulation of hazardous metabolic end products can rapidly become deleterious. Therefore, to survive within erythrocytes, parasites circumvent the relative low permeability of the host plasma membrane by altering the permeability of the host plasma membrane either by upregulating existing carriers or by creating new permeation pathways (NPPs). Recent electrophysiological studies of Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes have demonstrated that these changes reflect transmembrane transports through ion channels or pores in the infected erythrocyte. The intraerythrocytic stage of malaria parasite’s life cycle allows Plasmodium genus to escape host immune system threatening and recognition. However, by doing so, ...