The TIR1 protein of Arabidopsis functions in auxin response and is related to human SKP2 and yeast grr1p

Genes Dev. 1998 Jan 15;12(2):198-207. doi: 10.1101/gad.12.2.198.

Abstract

Genetic analysis in Arabidopsis has led to the identification of several genes that are required for auxin response. One of these genes, AXR1, encodes a protein related to yeast Aos1p, a protein that functions to activate the ubiquitin-related protein Smt3p. Here we report the identification of a new gene called TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE 1 (TIR1). The tir1 mutants are deficient in a variety of auxin-regulated growth processes including hypocotyl elongation and lateral root formation. These results indicate that TIR1 is also required for normal response to auxin. Further, mutations in TIR1 display a synergistic interaction with mutations in AXR1, suggesting that the two genes function in overlapping pathways. The TIR1 protein contains a series of leucine-rich repeats and a recently identified motif called an F box. Sequence comparisons indicate that TIR1 is related to the yeast protein Grr1p and the human protein SKP2. Because Grr1p and other F-box proteins have been implicated in ubiquitin-mediated processes, we speculate that auxin response depends on the modification of a key regulatory protein(s) by ubiquitin or a ubiquitin-related protein.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / pharmacology
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins*
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Genes, Plant*
  • Genes, Recessive
  • Genotype
  • Growth Substances*
  • Indoleacetic Acids / genetics*
  • Indoleacetic Acids / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology
  • Phthalimides / pharmacology
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / physiology
  • Plant Roots / drug effects
  • alpha Karyopherins

Substances

  • AXR1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Growth Substances
  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Phthalimides
  • Plant Proteins
  • alpha Karyopherins
  • 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid
  • alpha-naphthylphthalamic acid