OTS1 and OTS2 SUMO proteases link plant development and survival under salt stress

Conti, L., Kioumourtzoglou, D., O'Donnell, E., Dominy, P. and Sadanandom, A. (2009) OTS1 and OTS2 SUMO proteases link plant development and survival under salt stress. Plant Signaling and Behavior, 4(3), pp. 225-227. (doi: 10.4161/psb.4.3.7867)

Abstract

High salinity is an important factor limiting agriculture as major crops are salt sensitive. Understanding salt stress signalling is key to producing salt tolerant crops. The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is a crucial regulator of signalling proteins in eukaryotes. Attachment of SUMO onto substrates is reversible and SUMO-proteases which specifically cleave the SUMO-substrate linkages play a vital regulatory role during SUMOylation. We have identified two SUMO proteases OTS1 and OTS2 that act redundantly to regulate salt stress responses in Arabidopsis. ots1 ots2 double mutants show extreme sensitivity to salt. However during non-salt conditions, ots1 ots2 double mutants are phenotypically similar to wild-type plants in terms of growth and development. Overexpressing SUMO1 in the ots1 ots2 double mutants severally diminishes plant size as quantified by rosette diameter even under non-stressed conditions. This reduction in plant growth is reminiscent of ots1 ots2 double mutants under salt stress. Our data indicates that overSUMOylation of target proteins can have severe effects on plant growth and that SUMO proteases like OTS1/2 are key to maintaining cellular balance of SUMOylation. We propose that upon environmental stress the hyperSUMOylation of key target proteins act to retard growth to survive stress periods. Addendum to: Conti L, Price G, O'Donnell E, Schwessinger B, Dominy P, Sadanandom A. Small ubiquitin-like modifier proteases OVERLY TOLERANT TO SALT1 and -2 regulate salt stress responses in Arabidopsis.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sadanandom, Dr Ari and Dominy, Dr Peter
• Authors: Conti, L., Kioumourtzoglou, D., O'Donnell, E., Dominy, P., and Sadanandom, A.
• Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH345 Biochemistry; Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Plant Signaling and Behavior
• ISSN: 1559-2316