Polarization of cells prior to asymmetric cell division is crucial for correct cell divisions, cell fate, and tissue patterning. In maize (Zea mays) stomatal development, the polarization of subsidiary mother cells (SMCs) prior to asymmetric division is controlled by the BRICK (BRK)–PANGLOSS (PAN)–RHO FAMILY GTPASE (ROP) pathway. Two catalytically inactive receptor-like kinases, PAN2 and PAN1, are required for correct division plane positioning. Proteins in the BRK–PAN–ROP pathway are polarized in SMCs, with the polarization of each protein dependent on the previous one. As most of the known proteins in this pathway do not physically interact, possible interactors that might participate in the pathway are yet to be described. We identified WEAK CHLOROPLAST MOVEMENT UNDER BLUE LIGHT 1 (WEB1)/PLASTID MOVEMENT IMPAIRED 2 (PMI2)-RELATED (WPR) proteins as players during SMC polarization in maize. WPRs physically interact with PAN receptors and polarly accumulate in SMCs. The polarized localization of WPR proteins depends on PAN2 but not PAN1. CRISPR–Cas9-induced mutations result in division plane defects in SMCs, and ectopic expression of WPR-RFP results in stomatal defects and alterations to the actin cytoskeleton. We show that certain WPR proteins directly interact with F-actin through their N-terminus. Our data implicate WPR proteins as potentially regulating actin filaments, providing insight into their molecular function. These results demonstrate that WPR proteins are important for cell polarization.
Light-dependent chloroplast movements are an actin-dependent cellular response to changes in the light environment that help plants maximize photosynthetic potential and reduce photodamage. Over a dozen proteins are known to be required for normal chloroplast movements, but the molecular mechanisms regulating the transformation of light perception into chloroplast motility are not fully understood. Here, we show that in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) the actin-bundling plasma membrane-associated proteins THRUMIN1, PLASTID MOVEMENT IMPAIRED1 (PMI1), and KINESIN-LIKE PROTEIN FOR ACTIN-BASED CHLOROPLAST MOVEMENT1 (KAC1) interact through the 14-3-3 proteins KAPPA and OMEGA. We also show that the interaction of PMI1 with 14-3-3 KAPPA and OMEGA is regulated by blue light activation of the Phototropin2 photoreceptor. Live-cell confocal microscopy revealed light-induced dynamic changes in the cellular localizations of PMI1 and KAC1. In particular, PMI1 was relocated away from irradiated areas of the plasma membrane in less than a minute after blue light exposure, consistent with PMI1 playing a critical role in initiating light-dependent chloroplast movements. We present a modified conceptual model for high light-dependent chloroplast movements in which PMI1 acts as the mobile signal that initiates a coordinated sequence of changes in protein–protein and protein–plasma membrane interactions that initiate the chloroplast movement response and determine where in the cell chloroplasts are able to anchor to the plasma membrane.
more » « less- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10368396
- Publisher / Repository:
- Oxford University Press
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Plant Physiology
- Volume:
- 189
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 0032-0889
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- p. 1866-1880
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Summary Low concentrations of CO2cause stomatal opening, whereas [CO2] elevation leads to stomatal closure. Classical studies have suggested a role for Ca2+and protein phosphorylation in CO2‐induced stomatal closing. Calcium‐dependent protein kinases (CPKs) and calcineurin‐B‐like proteins (CBLs) can sense and translate cytosolic elevation of the second messenger Ca2+into specific phosphorylation events. However, Ca2+‐binding proteins that function in the stomatal CO2response remain unknown.
Time‐resolved stomatal conductance measurements using intact plants, and guard cell patch‐clamp experiments were performed.
We isolated
cpk quintuple mutants and analyzed stomatal movements in response to CO2, light and abscisic acid (ABA). Interestingly, we found thatcpk3/5/6/11/23 quintuple mutant plants, but not other analyzedcpk quadruple/quintuple mutants, were defective in high CO2‐induced stomatal closure and, unexpectedly, also in low CO2‐induced stomatal opening. Furthermore, K+‐uptake‐channel activities were reduced incpk3/5/6/11/23 quintuple mutants, in correlation with the stomatal opening phenotype. However, light‐mediated stomatal opening remained unaffected, and ABA responses showed slowing in some experiments. By contrast, CO2‐regulated stomatal movement kinetics were not clearly affected in plasma membrane‐targetedcbl1/4/5/8/9 quintuple mutant plants.Our findings describe combinatorial
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Abstract Sigma factor (
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