Chiara Menon1,2, David J Sheerin1, Andreas Hiltbrunner3,4. 1. Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biology II, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104, Freiburg, Germany. 2. Center for Plant Molecular Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, 72076, Tübingen, Germany. 3. Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biology II, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104, Freiburg, Germany. andreas.hiltbrunner@biologie.uni-freiburg.de. 4. BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104, Freiburg, Germany. andreas.hiltbrunner@biologie.uni-freiburg.de.
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION: In this review we focus on the role of SPA proteins in light signalling and discuss different aspects, including molecular mechanisms, specificity, and evolution. The ability of plants to perceive and respond to their environment is key to their survival under ever-changing conditions. The abiotic factor light is of particular importance for plants. Light provides plants energy for carbon fixation through photosynthesis, but also is a source of information for the adaptation of growth and development to the environment. Cryptochromes and phytochromes are major photoreceptors involved in control of developmental decisions in response to light cues, including seed germination, seedling de-etiolation, and induction of flowering. The SPA protein family acts in complex with the E3 ubiquitin ligase COP1 to target positive regulators of light responses for degradation by the 26S proteasome to suppress photomorphogenic development in darkness. Light-activated cryptochromes and phytochromes both repress the function of COP1, allowing accumulation of positive photomorphogenic factors in light. In this review, we highlight the role of the SPA proteins in this process and discuss recent advances in understanding how SPAs link light-activation of photoreceptors and downstream signaling.
MAIN CONCLUSION: In this review we focus on the role of SPA proteins in light signalling and discuss different aspects, including molecular mechanisms, specificity, and evolution. The ability of plants to perceive and respond to their environment is key to their survival under ever-changing conditions. The abiotic factor light is of particular importance for plants. Light provides plants energy for carbon fixation through photosynthesis, but also is a source of information for the adaptation of growth and development to the environment. Cryptochromes and phytochromes are major photoreceptors involved in control of developmental decisions in response to light cues, including seed germination, seedling de-etiolation, and induction of flowering. The SPA protein family acts in complex with the E3 ubiquitin ligase COP1 to target positive regulators of light responses for degradation by the 26S proteasome to suppress photomorphogenic development in darkness. Light-activated cryptochromes and phytochromes both repress the function of COP1, allowing accumulation of positive photomorphogenic factors in light. In this review, we highlight the role of the SPA proteins in this process and discuss recent advances in understanding how SPAs link light-activation of photoreceptors and downstream signaling.
Authors: Diana Bauer; András Viczián; Stefan Kircher; Tabea Nobis; Roland Nitschke; Tim Kunkel; Kishore C S Panigrahi; Eva Adám; Erzsébet Fejes; Eberhard Schäfer; Ferenc Nagy Journal: Plant Cell Date: 2004-05-21 Impact factor: 11.277
Authors: John M Christie; Andrew S Arvai; Katherine J Baxter; Monika Heilmann; Ashley J Pratt; Andrew O'Hara; Sharon M Kelly; Michael Hothorn; Brian O Smith; Kenichi Hitomi; Gareth I Jenkins; Elizabeth D Getzoff Journal: Science Date: 2012-02-09 Impact factor: 47.728
Authors: Jathish Ponnu; Tabea Riedel; Eva Penner; Andrea Schrader; Ute Hoecker Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2019-12-10 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Song Chen; Lennart Wirthmueller; Johannes Stauber; Niels Lory; Xu Holtkotte; Lisa Leson; Christian Schenkel; Margaret Ahmad; Ute Hoecker Journal: BMC Plant Biol Date: 2016-07-22 Impact factor: 4.215