Preventing Inappropriate Signals Pre- and Post-Ligand Perception by a Toggle-Switch Mechanism of ERECTA

Abstract

Dynamic control of signaling events requires swift regulation of receptors at an active state. By focusing on Arabidopsis ERECTA (ER) receptor kinase, which perceives peptide ligands to control multiple developmental processes, we report a mechanism preventing inappropriate receptor activity. The ER C-terminal tail (ER_CT) functions as an autoinhibitory domain: its removal confers higher kinase activity and hyperactivity during inflorescence and stomatal development. ER_CT is required for the binding of a receptor kinase inhibitor, BKI1, and two U-box E3 ligases PUB30 and PUB31 that inactivate activated ER. We further identify ER_CT as a phosphodomain trans-phosphorylated by the co-receptor BAK1. The phosphorylation impacts the tail structure, likely releasing from autoinhibition. The phosphonull version enhances BKI1 association, whereas the phosphomimetic version promotes PUB30/31 association. Thus, ER_CT acts as an off-on-off toggle switch, facilitating the release of BKI1 inhibition, enabling signal activation, and swiftly turning over the receptors afterwards. Our results elucidate a mechanism fine-tuning receptor signaling via a phosphoswitch module, keeping the receptor at a low basal state and ensuring the robust yet transient activation upon ligand perception. SignificanceCells perceive and process external signals through their cell-surface receptors, whose activity must be tightly maintained to prevent the spread of misinformation. How do plant cells prevent the inappropriate receptor activity? We identify a structural module within the C-terminal tail of the ERECTA (ER_CT), that inhibits the receptor pre- and post-signal activation. The ER_CT comprises of a linker and an -helix. Before activation, ER_CT is autoinhibitory and associates with an inhibitory protein. Ligand perception triggers the transphosphorylation of ER_CT by the co-receptor, which then recruits a degradation machinery to swiftly turn over the activated receptor. Thus, we reveal an off-on-off toggle switch mechanism that finely adjusts the activity of the plant receptor, enabling the precise control over cell signaling.