SUMOylation represses SnRK1 signaling in Arabidopsis

Author(s)
Pierre Crozet, Leonor Margalha, Rafal Butowt, Noémia Fernandes, Carlos A Elias, Beatriz Orosa, Konstantin Tomanov, Markus Teige, Andreas Bachmair, Ari Sadanandom, Elena Baena-González
Abstract

The SnRK1 protein kinase balances cellular energy levels in accordance with extracellular conditions and is thereby key for plant stress tolerance. In addition, SnRK1 has been implicated in numerous growth and developmental processes from seed filling and maturation to flowering and senescence. Despite its importance, the mechanisms that regulate SnRK1 activity are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the SnRK1 complex is SUMOylated on multiple subunits and identify SIZ1 as the E3 Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) ligase responsible for this modification. We further show that SnRK1 is ubiquitinated in a SIZ1-dependent manner, causing its degradation through the proteasome. In consequence, SnRK1 degradation is deficient in siz1-2 mutants, leading to its accumulation and hyperactivation of SnRK1 signaling. Finally, SnRK1 degradation is strictly dependent on its activity, as inactive SnRK1 variants are aberrantly stable but recover normal degradation when expressed as SUMO mimetics. Altogether, our data suggest that active SnRK1 triggers its own SUMOylation and degradation, establishing a negative feedback loop that attenuates SnRK1 signaling and prevents detrimental hyperactivation of stress responses.

Organisation(s)
Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
External organisation(s)
Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Durham University, Max F. Perutz Laboratories GmbH (MFPL)
Journal
The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
Volume
85
Pages
120-133
No. of pages
14
ISSN
0960-7412
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.13096
Publication date
01-2016
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
106031 Plant physiology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Genetics, Plant Science, Cell Biology
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/226518ab-2027-49ce-b4c3-35fa3ec05b8e