PAD4 — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT3G52430, known as PAD4 (PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4) in Arabidopsis thaliana, encodes a protein containing an EDS1_EP domain and an alpha/beta hydrolase fold with lipase-like features, and exhibits transferase, lipase, DNA-binding transcription factor, and protein homodimerization activities. PAD4 is associated with pathogen defense, including resistance to powdery mildew, Fusarium graminearum, turnip crinkle virus, and non-host resistance to Xanthomonas citri, as well as with pattern-triggered immunity, basal defense, and salicylic acid-mediated signaling. It is also linked to drought tolerance, water use efficiency, biomass yield, seed yield, leaf senescence, and heterosis. The protein localizes to the cytosol, nucleus, and the EDS1 disease-resistance complex, and is associated with camalexin biosynthesis, glucosinolate transport, and ceramide metabolism. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to bacterial wilt resistance and broad-spectrum disease resistance.