Biology subjects

Hothorn, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Hothorn, M..

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2019

Plant photoreceptors and their signaling components compete for binding to the ubiquitin ligase COP1 using their VP-peptide motifs

Plants sense different parts of the suns light spectrum using specialized photoreceptors, many of which signal through the E3 ubiquitin ligase COP1. Photoreceptor binding modulates COP1s ubiquitin ligase activity towards transcription factors. Here we analyze why many COP1-interacting transcription factors and photoreceptors harbor sequence-divergent Val-Pro (VP) peptide motifs. We demonstrate that VP motifs enable different light signaling components to bind to the WD40 domain of COP1 with various binding affinities. Crystal structures of the VP motifs of the UV-B photoreceptor UVR8 and the transcription factor HY5 in complex with COP1, quantitative binding assays and reverse genetic experiments together suggest that UVR8 and HY5 compete for the COP1 WD40 domain. Photoactivation of UVR8 leads to high-affinity cooperative binding of its VP domain and its photosensing core to COP1, interfering with the binding of COP1 to its substrate HY5. Functional UVR8 - VP motif chimeras suggest that UV-B signaling specificity resides in the UVR8 photoreceptor core, not its VP motif. Crystal structures of different COP1 - VP peptide complexes highlight sequence fingerprints required for COP1 targeting. The functionally distinct blue light receptors CRY1 and CRY2 also compete with downstream transcription factors for COP1 binding using similar VP-peptide motifs. Together, our work reveals that photoreceptors and their components compete for COP1 using a conserved displacement mechanism to control different light signaling cascades in plants.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Molecular characterization of CHAD domains as inorganic polyphosphate binding modules

Inorganic polyphosphates (polyPs) are long polymers of orthophosphate units (Pi), linked by energy-rich phosphoanhydride bonds. Conserved histidine -helical (CHAD) domains of unknown biochemical function are often located at the C-terminus of polyP-metabolizing triphosphate tunnel metalloenzymes (TTMs), or can be found as stand-alone proteins in bacterial operons harboring polyP kinases or phosphatases. Here we report that bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic CHAD domains are specific polyP binding modules. Crystal structures reveal that CHAD domains are formed by two four-helix bundles, giving rise to a central cavity surrounded by two conserved basic surface patches. Different CHAD domains bind polyPs with dissociation constants ranging from the nano-to mid-micromolar range, but not DNA or other Pi-containing ligands. A 2.1 [A] CHAD - polyP complex structure reveals the phosphate polymer binding across a central pore and along the two basic patches. Mutational analysis of CHAD - polyP interface residues validates the complex structure and reveals that CHAD domains evolved to bind long-chain polyPs. The presence of a CHAD domain in the polyPase ygiF enhances its enzymatic activity. In plants, CHAD domains bind polyP in vivo and localize to the nucleus and nucleolus, suggesting that plants harbor polyP stores in these compartments. We propose that CHAD domains may be used to engineer the properties of polyP-metabolizing enzymes and to specifically localize polyP stores in eukaryotic cells and tissues.\n\nSignificanceA domain of unknown function termed CHAD, present in all kingdoms of life, is characterized as a specific inorganic polyphosphate binding domain. The small size of the domain and its high specificity for inorganic polyphosphates suggest that it could be used as a tool to locate inorganic polyphosphate stores in pro- and eukaryotic cells and tissues.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2018

Mechanistic insights into the evolution of DUF26-containing proteins in land plants

Large protein families are a prominent feature of plant genomes and their size variation is a key element for adaptation in plants. Here we infer the evolutionary history of a representative protein family, the DOMAIN OF UNKNOWN FUNCTION (DUF) 26-containing proteins. The DUF26 first appeared in secreted proteins. Domain duplications and rearrangements led to the emergence of CYSTEINE-RICH RECEPTOR-LIKE PROTEIN KINASES (CRKs) and PLASMODESMATA-LOCALIZED PROTEINS (PDLPs). While the DUF26 itself is specific to land plants, structural analyses of Arabidopsis PDLP5 and PDLP8 ectodomains revealed strong similarity to fungal lectins. Therefore, we propose that DUF26-containing proteins constitute a novel group of plant carbohydrate-binding proteins. Following their appearance, CRKs expanded both through tandem duplications and preferential retention of duplicates in whole genome duplication events, whereas PDLPs evolved according to the dosage balance hypothesis. Based on our findings, we suggest that the main mechanism of expansion in new gene families is small-scale duplication, whereas genome fractionation and genetic drift after whole genome multiplications drive families towards dosage balance.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Two bifunctional inositol pyrophosphate kinases/phosphatases control plant phosphate homeostasis.

Many eukaryotic proteins regulating phosphate (Pi) homeostasis contain SPX domains. We have previously shown that these domains act as cellular receptors for inositol pyrophosphate (PP-InsP) signaling molecules, suggesting that PP-InsPs may regulate Pi homeostasis. Here we report that simultaneous deletion of two diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate kinases VIH1 and 2 in Arabidopsis impairs plant growth and leads to constitutive Pi starvation responses. We demonstrate that VIH1 and VIH2 are bifunctional cytosolic enzymes able to generate and break-down PP-InsPs. Point-mutants targeting the kinase and phosphatase active sites have opposing effects on plant Pi content and Pi starvation responses, while VIH1 and VIH2 protein levels remain constant in different Pi growth conditions. Enzymatic assays reveal that ATP-Mg2+ substrate levels can shift the relative kinase and phosphatase activities of full-length diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate kinases. Deletion of phosphate starvation response transcription factors rescues vih1 vih2 mutant phenotypes, placing diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate kinases and PP-InsPs in plant phosphate signal transduction cascades. We propose that VIH1 and VIH2 relay changes in cellular ATP concentration to changes in PPInsP levels, allowing plants to maintain cellular Pi concentrations constant and to trigger Pi starvation responses.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Mechanistic analysis of the SERK3 elongated allele defines a role for BIR ectodomains in brassinosteroid signaling

The leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase (LRR-RK) BRI1 requires a shape-complementary SERK co-receptor for brassinosteroid sensing and receptor activation. Interface mutations that weaken the interaction between receptor and co-receptor in vitro reduce brassinosteroid signaling responses. The SERK3 elongated (elg) allele maps to the complex interface and shows enhanced brassinosteroid signaling, but surprisingly no tighter binding to the BRI1 ectodomain in vitro. Here, we report that rather than promoting the interaction with BRI1, the elg mutation disrupts the ability of the co-receptor to interact with the ectodomains of BIR receptor pseudokinases, negative regulators of LRR-RK signaling. A conserved lateral surface patch in BIR LRR domains is required for targeting SERK co-receptors and the elg allele maps to the core of the complex interface in a 1.25 [A] BIR3 - SERK1 structure. Collectively, our structural, quantitative biochemical and genetic analyses suggest that brassinosteroid signaling complex formation is negatively regulated by BIR receptor ectodomains.

plant biology↗