A molecular framework for the control of adventitious rooting by the TIR1/AFB-Aux/IAA-dependent auxin sensing in Arabidopsis

Lakehal A., Chaabouni S., Cavel E., Le Hir R., Ranjan A., Raneshan Z., Novák O., Păcurar D.I., Perrone I., Jobert F., Gutierrez L., Bakò L., Bellini C.
MOLECULAR PLANT 12: 1499-1514, 2019

Keywords:
Abstract: In Arabidopsis thaliana, canonical auxin-dependent gene regulation is mediated by 23 transcription factors from the AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) family that interact with auxin/indole acetic acid repressors (Aux/IAAs), which themselves form co-receptor complexes with one of six TRANSPORT INHIBITOR1/AUXIN-SIGNALLING F-BOX (TIR1/AFB) proteins. Different combinations of co-receptors drive specific sensing outputs, allowing auxin to control a myriad of processes. ARF6 and ARF8 are positive regulators of adventitious root initiation upstream of jasmonate, but the exact auxin co-receptor complexes controlling the transcriptional activity of these proteins has remained unknown. Here, using loss-of-function mutants we show that three Aux/IAA genes, IAA6, IAA9, and IAA17, act additively in the control of adventitious root (AR) initiation. These three IAA proteins interact with ARF6 and/or ARF8 and likely repress their activity in AR development. We show that TIR1 and AFB2 are positive regulators of AR formation and TIR1 plays a dual role in the control of jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis and conjugation, as several JA biosynthesis genes are up-regulated in the tir1-1 mutant. These results lead us to propose that in the presence of auxin, TIR1 and AFB2 form specific sensing complexes with IAA6, IAA9, and/or IAA17 to modulate JA homeostasis and control AR initiation.
DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2019.09.001 IEB authors: Ondřej Novák