The F-box protein FKF1 inhibits dimerization of COP1 in the control of photoperiodic flowering

Nat Commun. 2017 Dec 22;8(1):2259. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02476-2.

Abstract

In Arabidopsis thaliana, CONSTANS (CO) plays an essential role in the regulation of photoperiodic flowering under long-day conditions. CO protein is stable only in the afternoon of long days, when it induces the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), which promotes flowering. The blue-light photoreceptor FLAVIN-BINDING, KELCH REPEAT, F-BOX1 (FKF1) interacts with CO and stabilizes it by an unknown mechanism. Here, we provide genetic and biochemical evidence that FKF1 inhibits CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1)-dependent CO degradation. Light-activated FKF1 has no apparent effect on COP1 stability but can interact with and negatively regulate COP1. We show that FKF1 can inhibit COP1 homo-dimerization. Mutation of the coiled-coil domain in COP1, which prevents dimer formation, impairs COP1 function in coordinating flowering time. Based on these results, we propose a model whereby the light- and day length-dependent interaction between FKF1 and COP1 controls CO stability to regulate flowering time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dimerization
  • Flowers / genetics*
  • Light*
  • Mutation
  • Photoperiod*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • CONSTANS protein, Arabidopsis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FKF1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • FT protein, Arabidopsis
  • Transcription Factors
  • AT2G32950 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases