Negative feedback regulation of UV-B-induced photomorphogenesis and stress acclimation in Arabidopsis

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Nov 16;107(46):20132-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0914532107. Epub 2010 Nov 1.

Abstract

Plants respond to low levels of UV-B radiation with a coordinated photomorphogenic response that allows acclimation to this environmental stress factor. The key players in this UV-B response are COP1 (an E3 ubiquitin ligase), UVR8 (a β-propeller protein), and HY5 (a bZIP transcription factor). We have shown previously that an elevated UV-B-specific response is associated with dwarf growth, indicating the importance of balancing UV-B-specific signaling. Negative regulators of this pathway are not known, however. Here, we describe two highly related WD40-repeat proteins, REPRESSOR OF UV-B PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS 1 (RUP1) and RUP2, that interact directly with UVR8 as potent repressors of UV-B signaling. Both genes were transcriptionally activated by UV-B in a COP1-, UVR8-, and HY5-dependent manner. rup1 rup2 double mutants showed an enhanced response to UV-B and elevated UV-B tolerance after acclimation. Overexpression of RUP2 resulted in reduced UV-B-induced photomorphogenesis and impaired acclimation, leading to hypersensitivity to UV-B stress. These results are consistent with an important regulatory role for RUP1 and RUP2, which act downstream of UVR8-COP1 in a negative feedback loop impinging on UVR8 function, balancing UV-B defense measures and plant growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acclimatization / radiation effects*
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development*
  • Arabidopsis / radiation effects*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Feedback, Physiological / radiation effects*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / radiation effects
  • Morphogenesis / radiation effects*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Protein Binding / radiation effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / radiation effects
  • Stress, Physiological / radiation effects*
  • Ultraviolet Rays*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger