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Binding of abscisic acid to human LANCL2
Laura Sturla1, Chiara Fresia, Lucrezia Guida
1Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Section of Biochemistry, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, Genova, Italy. laurasturla@unige.it
Abscisic acid (ABA), a plant stress hormone, directly binds to Lanthionine synthetase component C-like protein 2 (LANCL2) in human cells. This study identifies LANCL2 as the first mammalian ABA receptor, revealing new insights into ABA signaling in animals.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Plant Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key plant hormone regulating abiotic stress responses and development.
- ABA also functions as an endogenous hormone in animal cells, influencing inflammatory responses and insulin release.
- Lanthionine synthetase component C-like protein 2 (LANCL2) has been implicated in ABA signaling in human granulocytes and rat insulinoma cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct interaction between ABA and human LANCL2.
- To determine if LANCL2 functions as a mammalian receptor for ABA.
Main Methods:
- Specific binding studies were conducted on human recombinant LANCL2 protein.
- Experimental approaches included saturation binding, scintillation proximity assays, dot blot experiments, and affinity chromatography.
Main Results:
- Human recombinant LANCL2 was shown to directly bind ABA.
- These findings provide the first evidence of ABA binding to a mammalian receptor.
Conclusions:
- LANCL2 directly interacts with ABA.
- LANCL2 represents the first identified mammalian receptor for ABA, opening new avenues for understanding ABA's role in animal physiology.
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