XBAT35 belongs to a subfamily of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) RING-type E3s that are similar in domain architecture to the rice (Oryza sativa) XA21 Binding Protein3, a defense protein. The XBAT35 transcript undergoes alternative splicing to produce two protein isoforms, XBAT35.1 and XBAT35.2. Here, we demonstrate that XBAT35.2 localizes predominantly to the Golgi and is involved in cell death induction and pathogen response. XBAT35.2, but not XBAT35.1, was found to trigger cell death when overexpressed in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) leaves and does so in a manner that requires its RING domain. Loss of XBAT35 gene function disrupts the plant's ability to defend against pathogen attack, whereas overexpression of XBAT35.2 enhances resistance to pathogens. XBAT35.2 was found to be unstable and promotes its own degradation, suggesting self-regulation. Inoculation with virulent and avirulent strains of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 results in a drastic reduction in the levels of ubiquitinated XBAT35.2 and an increase in the abundance of the E3. This implies that pathogen infection prohibits XBAT35.2 self-regulation and stabilizes the E3. In agreement with a role in defending against pathogens, XBAT35.2 interacts with defense-related Accelerated Cell Death11 (ACD11) in planta and promotes the proteasome-dependent turnover of ACD11 in cell-free degradation assays. In accordance with regulation by a stabilized XBAT35.2, the levels of ubiquitinated ACD11 increased considerably, and the abundance of ACD11 was reduced following pathogen infection. In addition, treatment of transgenic seedlings with a proteasome inhibitor results in the accumulation of ACD11, confirming proteasome-dependent degradation. Collectively, these results highlight a novel role for XBAT35.2 in cell death induction and defense against pathogens.Posttranslational modification (PTM) via ubiquitination plays essential regulatory roles in all eukaryotic cells. The selective attachment of ubiquitin serves as a versatile modification that regulates protein activity, abundance, sorting, and localization (Deshaies and Joazeiro, 2009;Komander and Rape, 2012). This versatility places ubiquitination at the center of numerous cellular processes and allows for the regulation of growth, development, and responses to various environmental stimuli. Ubiquitination is accomplished through the sequential action of three enzymes: E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3 (ubiquitin ligase). Ubiquitin conjugation begins with the activation of ubiquitin molecules by E1, which is then transferred to E2, forming a thioester-linked E2-ubiquitin intermediate. Finally, E3 mediates the transfer of ubiquitin from the E2-ubiquitin intermediate to the substrate. The covalent attachment of ubiquitin to the substrate is usually accomplished via the formation of an isopeptide bond between the C-terminal Gly of ubiquitin and an internal lysine (Lys) of the substrate. Substrate modifications include the