Shahzad, Z., Eaglesfield, R., Carr, C. and Amtmann, A. (2020) Cryptic variation in RNA-directed DNA-methylation controls lateral root development when auxin signaling is perturbed. Nature Communications, 11, 218. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13927-3) (PMID:31924796) (PMCID:PMC6954204)
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Abstract
Maintaining the right balance between plasticity and robustness in biological systems is important to allow adaptation while maintaining essential functions. Developmental plasticity of plant root systems has been the subject of intensive research, but the mechanisms underpinning robustness remain unclear. Here, we show that potassium deficiency inhibits lateral root organogenesis by delaying early stages in the formation of lateral root primordia. However, the severity of the symptoms arising from this perturbation varies within a natural population of Arabidopsis and is associated with the genetic variation in CLSY1, a key component of the RNA-directed DNA-methylation machinery. Mechanistically, CLSY1 mediates the transcriptional repression of a negative regulator of root branching, IAA27, and promotes lateral root development when the auxin-dependent proteolysis pathway fails. Our study identifies DNA-methylation-mediated transcriptional repression as a backup system for post-translational protein degradation which ensures robust development and performance of plants in a challenging environment.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Carr, Mr Craig and Eaglesfield, Mr Ross and Shahzad, Zaigham and Amtmann, Professor Anna |
| Authors: | Shahzad, Z., Eaglesfield, R., Carr, C., and Amtmann, A. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences |
| Journal Name: | Nature Communications |
| Publisher: | Nature Research |
| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2041-1723 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2020 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Nature Communications 11:218 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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