Role of root UV-B sensing in Arabidopsis early seedling development

All sun-exposed organisms are affected by UV-B [(UVB) 280-320 nm], an integral part of sunlight. UVB can cause stresses or act as a developmental signal depending on its fluence levels. In plants, the mechanism by which high-fluence-rate UVB causes damages and activates DNA-repair systems has been extensively studied. However, little is known about how nondamaging low-fluence-rate UVB is perceived to regulate plant morphogenesis and development. Here, we report the identification of an Arabidopsis mutant, root UVB sensitive 1 (rus1), whose primary root is hypersensitive to very low-fluence-rate (VLF) UVB. Under standard growth-chamber fluorescent white light, rus1 displays stunted root growth and fails to form postembryonic leaves. Experiments with different monochromatic light sources showed that rus1 phenotypes can be rescued if the seedlings are allowed to grow in light conditions with minimum UVB. We determined that roots, not other organs, perceive the UVB signal. Genetic and molecular analyses confirmed that the root light-sensitive phenotypes are independent of all other known plant photoreceptors. Three rus1 alleles have been identified and characterized. A map-based approach was used to identify the RUS1 locus. RUS1 encodes a protein that contains DUF647 (domain of unknown function 647), a domain highly conserved in eukaryotes. Our results demonstrate a root VLF UVB-sensing mechanism that is involved in Arabidopsis early seedling morphogenesis and development.