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Translation-dependent retrograde signaling coordinates high-light acclimation in plants
Marten Moore1, Aaron B Smith2, Melanie Wegener3
1Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; Plant SynBio Australia, National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants, Bielefeld University, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany.
High light triggers translation-dependent retrograde signaling pathways (TraDeRS) in chloroplasts, rapidly enhancing photosynthesis and reducing photoinhibition. This involves conserved mRNA motifs and RNA-binding protein GAPDH, crucial for plant acclimation.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Photosynthesis Research
Background:
- Chloroplast retrograde signaling traditionally involves nuclear transcription regulation for acclimation.
- High light (HL) stress impacts plant physiology, necessitating rapid adaptive responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate HL-induced signaling pathways beyond canonical transcriptional regulation.
- To identify mechanisms of rapid translational control in response to chloroplast signals.
Main Methods:
- Ribosomal footprint profiling (RPF-seq) and polysome profiling in Arabidopsis.
- Analysis of conserved 5'-UTR mRNA motifs and RNA-binding protein interactions.
- Reporter gene assays and heterologous expression in Setaria viridis.
Main Results:
- HL rapidly induces translation-dependent retrograde signaling pathways (TraDeRS).
- Global translation is downregulated, with specific transcripts showing increased translation via conserved 5'-UTR motifs.
- The RNA-binding protein GAPDH binds these motifs in a HL-dependent manner, enhancing translation of photosynthetic proteins and transcription factors.
- This mechanism forms a rapid feed-forward loop, amplifying responses and reducing photoinhibition, conserved across species.
Conclusions:
- Translational control is a primary rapid response to HL stress, complementing transcriptional regulation.
- The GAPDH-motif interaction represents a key regulatory switch for photosynthesis and stress response.
- Findings offer new strategies for improving crop photosynthesis and understanding chloroplast-nucleus communication.
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Transcription
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress