Which came first - the messenger, the activator, or the receiver?

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Secreted peptides are vital for plant adaptation to environmental changes.
• Sulfated tyrosine (sTyr) peptides regulate key processes including growth, nutrient uptake, defense, and seed development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the evolutionary timeline and significance of sTyr peptides, their receptors, and the activating enzyme tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase (TPST) in land plant emergence.
• To map the distribution of these components across plant species and identify critical active sites.

Main Methods:

• Phylogenetic analysis of sTyr peptides, receptors, and TPST.
• Comparative genomics to map distribution across diverse plant species.
• Identification of conserved residues essential for enzymatic activity.

Main Results:

• sTyr peptide signaling pathways show ancient origins, with key components evolving alongside land plant diversification.
• TPST and sTyr peptide/receptor systems are conserved across major plant lineages, indicating fundamental roles.
• Specific amino acid residues crucial for TPST activity and sTyr peptide recognition were identified.

Conclusions:

• sTyr peptide signaling is a foundational mechanism in plant biology, critical for adaptation and the evolution of terrestrial life.
• Understanding the evolution of sTyr peptides offers insights into plant development and potential targets for agricultural improvement.