The circadian clock regulates HAMP In11-induced immune defenses in cowpea

PIants recognize herbivores via herbivore associated molecular patterns (HAMPs). In11 is a HAMP present in caterpillar oral secretions and recognized by the cell surface pattern recognition receptor (PRR) Inceptin receptor (INR) in legumes. Plants use time information via the circadian clock to anticipate herbivore attack and provide a physiological advantage by accumulating defensive hormones at times when herbivory is likely to happen. Furthermore, the plant circadian clock can act as a gating mechanism to control gene expression in response to a stimuli at different times of the day. Here, we show that the circadian clock gates gene expression in response to HAMP In11 in the legume cowpea.