KIN10 promotes stomatal development through stabilization of the SPEECHLESS transcription factor

Nat Commun. 2020 Aug 25;11(1):4214. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-18048-w.

Abstract

Stomata are epidermal structures that modulate gas exchanges between plants and the atmosphere. The formation of stomata is regulated by multiple developmental and environmental signals, but how these signals are coordinated to control this process remains unclear. Here, we showed that the conserved energy sensor kinase SnRK1 promotes stomatal development under short-day photoperiod or in liquid culture conditions. Mutation of KIN10, the catalytic α-subunit of SnRK1, results in the decreased stomatal index; while overexpression of KIN10 significantly induces stomatal development. KIN10 displays the cell-type-specific subcellular location pattern. The nuclear-localized KIN10 proteins are highly enriched in the stomatal lineage cells to phosphorylate and stabilize SPEECHLESS, a master regulator of stomatal formation, thereby promoting stomatal development. Our work identifies a module links connecting the energy signaling and stomatal development and reveals that multiple regulatory mechanisms are in place for SnRK1 to modulate stomatal development in response to changing environments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Mutation
  • Phosphorylation
  • Photoperiod
  • Plant Stomata / cytology
  • Plant Stomata / genetics*
  • Plant Stomata / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Stability
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • KIN10 protein, Arabidopsis
  • SPEECHLESS protein, Arabidopsis
  • Transcription Factors
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • SnRK1 protein, Arabidopsis