A mutually assured destruction mechanism attenuates light signaling in Arabidopsis

Science. 2014 Jun 6;344(6188):1160-1164. doi: 10.1126/science.1250778.

Abstract

After light-induced nuclear translocation, phytochrome photoreceptors interact with and induce rapid phosphorylation and degradation of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, such as PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 3 (PIF3), to regulate gene expression. Concomitantly, this interaction triggers feedback reduction of phytochrome B (phyB) levels. Light-induced phosphorylation of PIF3 is necessary for the degradation of both proteins. We report that this PIF3 phosphorylation induces, and is necessary for, recruitment of LRB [Light-Response Bric-a-Brack/Tramtrack/Broad (BTB)] E3 ubiquitin ligases to the PIF3-phyB complex. The recruited LRBs promote concurrent polyubiqutination and degradation of both PIF3 and phyB in vivo. These data reveal a linked signal-transmission and attenuation mechanism involving mutually assured destruction of the receptor and its immediate signaling partner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development*
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cullin Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Light Signal Transduction*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phytochrome B / metabolism*
  • Polyubiquitin / metabolism
  • Proteolysis
  • Ubiquitination*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Cullin Proteins
  • LRB1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • LRB2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • LRB3 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PHYB protein, Arabidopsis
  • PIF3 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Polyubiquitin
  • Phytochrome B