Auxin-induced signaling protein nanoclustering contributes to cell polarity formation

Nat Commun. 2020 Aug 6;11(1):3914. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17602-w.

Abstract

Cell polarity is fundamental to the development of both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, yet the mechanisms behind its formation are not well understood. Here we found that, phytohormone auxin-induced, sterol-dependent nanoclustering of cell surface transmembrane receptor kinase 1 (TMK1) is critical for the formation of polarized domains at the plasma membrane (PM) during the morphogenesis of cotyledon pavement cells (PC) in Arabidopsis. Auxin-induced TMK1 nanoclustering stabilizes flotillin1-associated ordered nanodomains, which in turn promote the nanoclustering of ROP6 GTPase that acts downstream of TMK1 to regulate cortical microtubule organization. In turn, cortical microtubules further stabilize TMK1- and flotillin1-containing nanoclusters at the PM. Hence, we propose a new paradigm for polarity formation: A diffusive signal triggers cell polarization by promoting cell surface receptor-mediated nanoclustering of signaling components and cytoskeleton-mediated positive feedback that reinforces these nanodomains into polarized domains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / cytology*
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / chemistry
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Polarity / genetics
  • Cell Polarity / physiology*
  • Indoleacetic Acids / metabolism*
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Plant Growth Regulators / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / chemistry
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Stability
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • Protein Aggregates
  • ROP6 protein, Arabidopsis
  • flotillins
  • AT1G66150 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins