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The oligomeric structures of plant cryptochromes
Kai Shao1,2, Xue Zhang1,2, Xu Li1
1National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
|May 14, 2020
Summary
Blue light activates plant cryptochromes (CRYs) through oligomerization. This study reveals the structural basis for CRY activation, essential for plant development and potential optical switch design.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Photobiology
- Structural biology
Background:
- Cryptochromes (CRYs) are conserved flavoproteins crucial for plant growth and development.
- The blue-light-mediated activation mechanism of plant CRYs is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the oligomeric structures of plant CRY photoreceptors.
- To investigate the role of oligomerization in CRY photoactivation and signaling.
Main Methods:
- Determined the oligomeric structures of Zea mays CRY1 PHR domain and an Arabidopsis CRY2 mutant.
- Performed in vitro and in vivo functional analyses using Arabidopsis CRY2.
Main Results:
- Identified CRY structures forming dimers and tetramers.
- Structure-based analysis suggests blue light induces conformational changes leading to essential oligomerization for signaling.
- Demonstrated the functional importance of these oligomeric states.
Conclusions:
- Revealed a molecular mechanism for plant CRY photoactivation involving blue light-induced oligomerization.
- This mechanism is likely conserved across plant CRYs.
- Findings provide a basis for designing CRY-based optical switches.
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