BRI1 and BAK1 interact with G proteins and regulate sugar-responsive growth and development in Arabidopsis

Nat Commun. 2018 Apr 18;9(1):1522. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-03884-8.

Abstract

Sugars function as signal molecules to regulate growth, development, and gene expression in plants, yeasts, and animals. A coordination of sugar availability with phytohormone signals is crucial for plant growth and development. The molecular link between sugar availability and hormone-dependent plant growth are largely unknown. Here we report that BRI1 and BAK1 are involved in sugar-responsive growth and development. Glucose influences the physical interactions and phosphorylations of BRI1 and BAK1 in a concentration-dependent manner. BRI1 and BAK1 physically interact with G proteins that are essential for mediating sugar signaling. Biochemical data show that BRI1 can phosphorylate G protein β subunit and γ subunits, and BAK1 can phosphorylate G protein γ subunits. Genetic analyses suggest that BRI1 and BAK1 function in a common pathway with G-protein subunits to regulate sugar responses. Thus, our findings reveal an important genetic and molecular mechanism by which BR receptors associate with G proteins to regulate sugar-responsive growth and development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / growth & development*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Culture Media
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Glucose / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Mutation
  • Phosphorylation
  • Plant Growth Regulators / metabolism
  • Plants / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Seeds / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sugars / chemistry

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Culture Media
  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • Sugars
  • Protein Kinases
  • BAK1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • BRI1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Glucose