UV-B detected by the UVR8 photoreceptor antagonizes auxin signaling and plant shade avoidance

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Aug 12;111(32):11894-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1403052111. Epub 2014 Jul 28.

Abstract

Plants detect different facets of their radiation environment via specific photoreceptors to modulate growth and development. UV-B is perceived by the photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8). The molecular mechanisms linking UVR8 activation to plant growth are not fully understood, however. When grown in close proximity to neighboring vegetation, shade-intolerant plants initiate dramatic stem elongation to overtop competitors. Here we show that UV-B, detected by UVR8, provides an unambiguous sunlight signal that inhibits shade avoidance responses in Arabidopsis thaliana by antagonizing the phytohormones auxin and gibberellin. UV-B triggers degradation of the transcription factors PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 5 and stabilizes growth-repressing DELLA proteins, inhibiting auxin biosynthesis via a dual mechanism. Our findings show that UVR8 signaling is closely integrated with other photoreceptor pathways to regulate auxin signaling and plant growth in sunlight.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis / radiation effects*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / radiation effects*
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / radiation effects*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Genes, Plant
  • Gibberellins / metabolism
  • Gibberellins / radiation effects
  • Indoleacetic Acids / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Indoleacetic Acids / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Photoreceptors, Plant / genetics
  • Photoreceptors, Plant / metabolism*
  • Photoreceptors, Plant / radiation effects*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Protein Stability / radiation effects
  • Proteolysis / radiation effects
  • Signal Transduction / radiation effects
  • Sunlight
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • GAI protein, Arabidopsis
  • Gibberellins
  • HY5 protein, Arabidopsis
  • HYH protein, Arabidopsis
  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PIF4 protein, Arabidopsis
  • PIF5 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Photoreceptors, Plant
  • Uvr8 protein, Arabidopsis