Overexpression of the heterotrimeric G-protein alpha-subunit enhances phytochrome-mediated inhibition of hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis

Plant Cell. 2001 Jul;13(7):1639-52. doi: 10.1105/tpc.010008.

Abstract

Plant heterotrimeric G-proteins have been implicated in a number of signaling processes. However, most of these studies are based on biochemical or pharmacological approaches. To examine the role of heterotrimeric G-proteins in plant development, we generated transgenic Arabidopsis expressing the Galpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G-protein under the control of a glucocorticoid-inducible promoter. With the conditional overexpression of either the wild type or a constitutively active version of Arabidopsis Galpha, transgenic seedlings exhibited a hypersensitive response to light. This enhanced light sensitivity was more exaggerated in a relatively lower intensity of light and was observed in white light as well as far-red, red, and blue light conditions. The enhanced responses in far-red and red light required functional phytochrome A and phytochrome B, respectively. Furthermore, the response to far-red light depended on functional FHY1 but not on FIN219 and FHY3. This dependence on FHY1 indicates that the Arabidopsis Galpha protein may act only on a discrete branch of the phytochrome A signaling pathway. Thus, our results support the involvement of a heterotrimeric G-protein in the light regulation of Arabidopsis seedling development.

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

  • Arabidopsis / embryology
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / physiology*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Division
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Hypocotyl / growth & development*
  • Hypocotyl / radiation effects
  • Light
  • Phenotype
  • Phytochrome / physiology
  • Plant Proteins
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Plant
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transgenes

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • GPA1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits
  • Plant Proteins
  • RNA, Plant
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • Phytochrome
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins