Research Progress on Methyl Salicylate Esterase and Its Mediated Plant Disease Resistance

doi:10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2026-0194

Abstract

Abstract:

Methyl salicylate esterase is a member of the α/β hydrolase superfamily, which plays an important role in plant immunity. This review systematically summarizes the research progress on methyl salicylate esterase in the field of plant disease resistance. First, this review describes the discovery and biochemical functions of methyl salicylate esterase and analyzes the relationship between its evolution across different plant species and disease resistance. Second, the defense functions and mechanisms of methyl salicylate esterase against multiple classes of pathogens, including viruses, fungi, bacteria, protists, and parasitic organisms, are summarized. The mechanism of action of the esterase in both local defense and systemic acquired resistance is elucidated, and its important role in airborne immune communication among plants is described. Furthermore, from the perspectives of transcriptional regulation and post-translational modification, the regulation of methyl salicylate esterase genes expression by transcription factors, as well as the effect of deacetylation on enzyme activity, is summarized. Additionally, this review discusses strategies for mining methyl salicylate esterase gene resources, explores its potential applications in disease resistance breeding, and identifies unresolved questions in current research. This review provides theoretical references for in-depth understanding of the plant immune regulatory network mediated by methyl salicylate esterase and its future research directions, and offers theoretical support for the breeding of disease-resistant plant varieties.

Key words: methyl salicylate esterase, plant, disease resistance, systemic acquired resistance, airborne defense

HOU Kun-peng, XU Li-ping, WANG Xing-bin, ZHANG Yu-qing, WANG Wen-qiang, HUO Zi-han, ZHAO Chen-yang, XU Shuo, ZHANG Zhi-qiang, GOU Ming-yue. Research Progress on Methyl Salicylate Esterase and Its Mediated Plant Disease Resistance[J]. Biotechnology Bulletin, 2026, 42(11): 1-10.

Figures/Tables 5

Fig. 1 Methyl salicylate esterase-catalyzed reaction

Fig. 2 Phylogenetic analysis of the reported methyl salicylate esterase with methyl salicylate esterase activity

Fig. 3 Methyl salicylate esterase gene regulates plant disease resistanceWhen pathogens (such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc.) infect the lower leaves of a plant, the plant perceives the signal and activates SAMT1, which converts SA in the leaves into MeSA. SABP2 is regulated by WRKY1 and NAC2. Meanwhile, SIP428 deacetylates SABP2, enhancing its methyl salicylate esterase activity, which promotes the conversion of MeSA back to SA. This simultaneously activates the ICS pathway and the PAL pathway, collectively promoting the accumulation of SA. The accumulation of SA facilitates the binding of the transcription factor TGA with its receptor NPR1, activating the expression of PRs genes. Additionally, SABP2 indirectly regulates RBOH activity, stimulating the ROS, which induces local resistance in the lower leaves. Furthermore, WRKY1 moderately inhibits the expression of SAMT1 gene, thereby regulating the dynamic balance between MeSA and SA. When MeSA is transported to the upper leaves via the phloem, the increased MeSA level in the upper leaves activates SABP2, which reconverts MeSA into SA. This again promotes the binding of TGA with NPR1 in the upper leaves, activates the expression of PRs genes, and triggers SAR. Solid arrows indicate direct regulation, dashed arrows indicate indirect regulation, T-shaped lines indicate inhibition

Fig. 4 Methyl salicylate esterase plays a key role in MeSA-mediated airborne defense in plantsA: When non-virulent aphids infest a plant, the NAC2 transcription factor is activated, leading to increased expression of SAMT1 and activation of SAMT1, which strongly induces MeSA production. As substantial amounts of MeSA are released into the air, neighboring plants capture MeSA, activate SABP2, and convert MeSA into SA, thereby activating the NAC2-SAMT1 module and further promoting MeSA generation. This induces airborne defense (AD) in neighboring plants, protecting them against aphid infestation. B: When viruliferous aphids infest a plant, NAC2 binds to CMV1a and is degraded by the 26S proteasome, leading to inhibition of SAMT1 and subsequent suppression of MeSA production. Consequently, less MeSA is captured by neighboring plants, SABP2 activity is inhibited, and SA production is reduced. This suppresses the NAC2-SAMT1 module, inhibiting MeSA synthesis and release, thereby reducing resistance to aphids. Solid arrows indicate direct regulation, T-shaped lines indicate inhibition

Table 1 Pathogen-induced expression and disease resistance function of methyl salicylate esterase genes

基因 Genes	物种 Species	是否受病原物诱导 Whether induced by pathogens or not	病原物种类 Types of pathogens	遗传材料的表型 The phenotype of genetic material	参考文献 References
NtSABP2	烟草 Nicotiana tabacum	是	病毒	NtSABP2沉默株系相较于野生型更易感烟草花叶病毒	［1， 13］
AtMES1	拟南芥 Arabidopsis thaliana	是	细菌	SABP2沉默系更易感丁香假单胞菌，AtMES1、AtMES7 和 AtMES9 这3个基因能完全恢复SABP2沉默系的SAR缺陷	［16］
AtMES7
AtMES9
AtMES2		否
AtMES4		否
CsMES1	柑橘 Citrus sinensis	是	细菌	外施MeSA和SA后，野生型叶片的柑橘溃疡病菌明显减少	［17］
CsMES2		是	细菌	外施MeSA和SA后，野生型叶片的柑橘溃疡病菌明显减少	［17］
CsSABP2-1		是	细菌	CsSABP2过表达株系相对于野生型，对柑橘溃疡病和黄龙病的抗性提高	［5］
CsSABP2-2
CsSABP2-3
StMES1	马铃薯 Solanum tuberosum	是	真菌	StMES1沉默株系对致病疫霉的抗性相对于野生型减弱	［9］
PvMES1	普通菜豆 Phaseolus vulgaris	是	真菌	PvMES1的过表达株系提高了对尖孢镰刀菌的抗性，PvMES1的沉默株系更加易感病	［10］
FvMES2	草莓 Fragaria vesca	是	真菌	FvMES2的过表达株系增加对灰霉病的抗性	［20］
BnMES34	甘蓝型油菜 Brassica napus	是	原生动物	BnMES34过表达株系有效抵御芸苔疟原虫的侵袭	［8］
GmSABP2-1	大豆 Glycine max	是	动物	GmSABP2-1的过表达株系能有效抵抗大豆胞囊线虫	［6］
SlMES1	番茄 Solanum lycopersicum	未知
SlMES2
SlMES3					［14］
SlMES4
PtSABP2	毛果杨 Populus trichocarpa	未知			［18］
PpMES2	桃子 Prunus persica	未知			［19］
LcSABP2	枸杞 Lycium chinense	未知			［15］

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