Tetrahydroquinolinyl phosphinamidates and phosphonamidates enhancing tolerance towards drought stress in crops via interaction with ABA receptor proteins

New phosphorous-containing lead structures against drought stress in crops interacting with RCAR/(PYR/PYL) receptor proteins were identified starting from in-depth SAR studies of related sulfonamide lead structures and protein docking studies. A converging 6-step synthesis via phosphinic chlorides and phosphono chloridates as key intermediates afforded envisaged tetrahydroquinolinyl phosphinamidates and phosphonamidates. Whilst tetrahydroquinolinyl phosphonamidates 13a,b exhibited low to moderate target affinities, the corresponding tetrahydroquinolinyl phosphinamidates 12a,b revealed confirmed strong affinities for RCAR/ (PYR/PYL) receptor proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana on the same level as essential plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) combined with promising efficacy against drought stress in vivo (broad-acre crops wheat and canola).     

PYR/PYL/RCAR family members are major in‐vivo ABI1 protein phosphatase 2C‐interacting proteins in Arabidopsis

Abscisic acid (ABA) mediates resistance to abiotic stress and controls developmental processes in plants. The group‐A PP2Cs, of which ABI1 is the prototypical member, are protein phosphatases that play critical roles as negative regulators very early in ABA signal transduction. Because redundancy is thought to limit the genetic dissection of early ABA signalling, to identify redundant and early ABA signalling proteins, we pursued a proteomics approach. We generated YFP‐tagged ABI1 Arabidopsis expression lines and identified in vivo ABI1‐interacting proteins by mass‐spectrometric analyses of ABI1 complexes. Known ABA signalling components were isolated including SnRK2 protein kinases. We confirm previous studies in yeast and now show that ABI1 interacts with the ABA‐signalling kinases OST1, SnRK2.2 and SnRK2.3 in plants. Interestingly, the most robust in planta ABI1‐interacting proteins in all LC‐MS/MS experiments were nine of the 14 PYR/PYL/RCAR proteins, which were recently reported as ABA‐binding signal transduction proteins, providing evidence for in vivo PYR/PYL/RCAR interactions with ABI1 in Arabidopsis. ABI1–PYR1 interaction was stimulated within 5 min of ABA treatment in Arabidopsis. Interestingly, in contrast, PYR1 and SnRK2.3 co‐immunoprecipitated equally well in the presence and absence of ABA. To investigate the biological relevance of the PYR/PYLs, we analysed pyr1/pyl1/pyl2/pyl4 quadruple mutant plants and found strong insensitivities in ABA‐induced stomatal closure and ABA‐inhibition of stomatal opening. These findings demonstrate that ABI1 can interact with several PYR/PYL/RCAR family members in Arabidopsis, that PYR1–ABI1 interaction is rapidly stimulated by ABA in Arabidopsis and indicate new SnRK2 kinase‐PYR/PYL/RCAR interactions in an emerging model for PYR/PYL/RCAR‐mediated ABA signalling.     

Novel biotin linker with alkyne and amino groups for chemical labelling of a target protein of a bioactive small molecule

We synthesized a novel linker (1) with biotin, alkyne and amino groups for the identification of target proteins using a small molecule that contains an azide group (azide probe). The alkyne in the linker bound the azide probe via an azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition. A protein cross-linker effectively bound the conjugate of the linker and an azide probe with a target protein. The covalently bound complex was detected by western blotting. Linker 1 was applied to a model system using an abscisic acid receptor, RCAR/PYR/PYL (PYL). Cross-linked complexes of linker 1, the azide probes and the target proteins were successfully visualized by western blotting. This method of target protein identification was more effective than a previously developed method that uses a second linker with biotin, alkyne, and benzophenone (linker 2) that acts to photo-crosslink target proteins. The system developed in this study is a method for identifying the target proteins of small bioactive molecules and is different from photo-affinity labelling.     

PYR/PYL/RCAR蛋白介导植物ABA的信号转导

脱落酸(ABA)在各个植物生长发育阶段以及植物对生物与非生物胁迫的响应过程中都发挥着重要的作用。最近研究表明, 在ABA信号转导途径中有3种核心组份：ABA受体PYR/PYL/RCAR蛋白、负调控因子2C类蛋白磷酸酶(PP2C)和正调控因子SNF1相关的蛋白激酶2(SnRK2), 它们共同组成了一个双重负调控系统-- PYR/PYL/RCAR-| PP2C-| SnRK2来调控ABA信号转导及其下游反应, 且3种核心组份在植物体内的结合方式受时空和生化等因素的影响, 通过特定组合形成的ABA信号转导复合体介导特定的ABA信号反应。文章就PYR/PYL/RCAR蛋白介导的植物ABA信号识别与转导途径的分子基础及其调控机制, 以及PYR/PYL/RCAR-PP2C-SnRK2参与的ABA信号调控网络等研究进展做一概述, 并对该领域今后的研究进行了展望。     

A thermodynamic switch modulates abscisic acid receptor sensitivity

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key hormone regulating plant growth, development and the response to biotic and abiotic stress. ABA binding to pyrabactin resistance (PYR)/PYR1-like (PYL)/Regulatory Component of Abscisic acid Receptor (RCAR) intracellular receptors promotes the formation of stable complexes with certain protein phosphatases type 2C (PP2Cs), leading to the activation of ABA signalling. The PYR/PYL/RCAR family contains 14 genes in Arabidopsis and is currently the largest plant hormone receptor family known; however, it is unclear what functional differentiation exists among receptors. Here, we identify two distinct classes of receptors, dimeric and monomeric, with different intrinsic affinities for ABA and whose differential properties are determined by the oligomeric state of their apo forms. Moreover, we find a residue in PYR1, H60, that is variable between family members and plays a key role in determining oligomeric state. In silico modelling of the ABA activation pathway reveals that monomeric receptors have a competitive advantage for binding to ABA and PP2Cs. This work illustrates how receptor oligomerization can modulate hormonal responses and more generally, the sensitivity of a ligand-dependent signalling system.     

Insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) stimulation abrogates an association between a deubiquitinating enzyme USP7 and insulin receptor substrates (IRSs) followed by proteasomal degradation of IRSs

Abscisic acid (ABA) is one of the most essential phytohormones, and plays an important role in growth and development regulation, as well as in stress responses. The PYR/PYL/RCAR family (PYL for short)—comprised of 14 proteins in Arabidopsis—was recently identified as soluble ABA receptors that function in the perception and transduction of ABA signaling. In this work, the crystal structures of PYL10 were determined in the apo- and ABA-bound states, with respective resolutions of 3.0 and 2.7 Å. Surprisingly, a closed CL2 conformation was observed in the apo–PYL10 structure, which was different from a previously reported open CL2 conformation. A putative two-conformation dynamical equilibrium model was proposed to explain PYL10’s constitutive binding to PP2Cs in the apo-state and its increased PP2C binding ability in the ABA-bound state.     

The single‐subunit RING‐type E3 ubiquitin ligase RSL1 targets PYL4 and PYR1 ABA receptors in plasma membrane to modulate abscisic acid signaling

Membrane‐delimited events play a crucial role for ABA signaling and PYR/PYL/RCAR ABA receptors, clade A PP2Cs and SnRK2/CPK kinases modulate the activity of different plasma membrane components involved in ABA action. Therefore, the turnover of PYR/PYL/RCARs in the proximity of plasma membrane might be a step that affects receptor function and downstream signaling. In this study we describe a single‐subunit RING‐type E3 ubiquitin ligase RSL1 that interacts with the PYL4 and PYR1 ABA receptors at the plasma membrane. Overexpression of RSL1 reduces ABA sensitivity and rsl1 RNAi lines that impair expression of several members of the RSL1/RFA gene family show enhanced sensitivity to ABA. RSL1 bears a C‐terminal transmembrane domain that targets the E3 ligase to plasma membrane. Accordingly, bimolecular fluorescent complementation (BiFC) studies showed the RSL1–PYL4 and RSL1–PYR1 interaction is localized to plasma membrane. RSL1 promoted PYL4 and PYR1 degradation in vivo and mediated in vitro ubiquitylation of the receptors. Taken together, these results suggest ubiquitylation of ABA receptors at plasma membrane is a process that might affect their function via effect on their half‐life, protein interactions or trafficking.     

PYR/PYL/RCAR蛋白介导植物ABA的信号转导

脱落酸(ABA)在各个植物生长发育阶段以及植物对生物与非生物胁迫的响应过程中都发挥着重要的作用。最近研究表明,在ABA信号转导途径中有3种核心组份:ABA受体PYR/PYL/RCAR蛋白、负调控因子2C类蛋白磷酸酶(PP2C)和正调控因子SNF1相关的蛋白激酶2(SnRK2),它们共同组成了一个双重负调控系统——PYR/PYL/RCAR—|PP2C—|SnRK2来调控ABA信号转导及其下游反应,且3种核心组份在植物体内的结合方式受时空和生化等因素的影响,通过特定组合形成的ABA信号转导复合体介导特定的ABA信号反应。文章就PYR/PYL/RCAR蛋白介导的植物ABA信号识别与转导途径的分子基础及其调控机制,以及PYR/PYL/RCAR—PP2C—SnRK2参与的ABA信号调控网络等研究进展做一概述,并对该领域今后的研究进行了展望。     

Functional Mechanism of the Abscisic Acid Agonist Pyrabactin

Pyrabactin is a synthetic abscisic acid (ABA) agonist that selectively inhibits seed germination. The use of pyrabactin was pivotal in the identification of the PYR1/PYL/RCAR family (PYL) of proteins as the ABA receptor. Although they both act through PYL proteins, pyrabactin and ABA share no apparent chemical or structural similarity. It remains unclear how pyrabactin functions as an ABA agonist. Here, we report the crystal structure of pyrabactin in complex with PYL1 at 2.4 Å resolution. Structural and biochemical analyses revealed that recognition of pyrabactin by the pocket residues precedes the closure of switch loop CL2. Structural comparison between pyrabactin- and ABA-bound PYL1 reveals a general principle in the arrangements of function groups of the two distinct ligands. The study provides a framework for the development of novel ABA agonists that may have applicable potentials in agriculture.     

The unique mode of action of a divergent member of the ABA-receptor protein family in ABA and stress signaling

Proteins in the PYR/PYL/RCAR family (PYLs) are known as receptors for the phytohormone ABA. Upon ABA binding, PYL adopts a conformation that allows it to interact with and inhibit clade A protein phosphatase 2Cs (PP2Cs), which are known as the co-receptors for ABA. Inhibition of the PP2Cs then leads to the activation of the SnRK2 family protein kinases that phosphorylate and activate downstream effectors in ABA response pathways. The PYL family has 14 members in Arabidopsis, 13 of which have been demonstrated to function as ABA receptors. The function of PYL13, a divergent member of the family, has been enigmatic. We report here that PYL13 differs from the other PYLs in three key residues that affect ABA perception, and mutations in these three residues can convert PYL13 into a partially functional ABA receptor. Transgenic plants overexpressing PYL13 show increased ABA sensitivity in seed germination and postgermination seedling establishment as well as decreased stomatal conductance, increased water-use efficiency, accelerated stress-responsive gene expression, and enhanced drought resistance. pyl13 mutant plants are less sensitive to ABA inhibition of postgermination seedling establishment. PYL13 interacts with and inhibits some members of clade A PP2Cs (PP2CA in particular) in an ABA-independent manner. PYL13 also interacts with the other PYLs and antagonizes their function as ABA receptors. Our results show that PYL13 is not an ABA receptor but can modulate the ABA pathway by interacting with and inhibiting both the PYL receptors and the PP2C co-receptors.     

植物ABA受体及其介导的信号转导通路

ABA是调控植物体生长发育和响应外界应激的重要植物激素之一。近年来, ABA受体的筛选和鉴定取得了突破性进展, 为植物中ABA信号转导通路的阐明奠定了重要基础。该文主要综述了ABA-binding protein/H subunit of Mgchelatase (ABAR/CHLH)、G protein-coupled receptor 2 (GCR2)、GPCR-type G protein 1/2 (GTG1/2)和pyrabactin resistant/PYR-like/regulatory component of ABA (PYR/PYL/RCAR)被报道为ABA受体的研究历程, 重点介绍了以ABAR/CHLH PYR/PYL/RCAR为受体的ABA信号转导通路模型的构建, 旨在为ABA受体及其信号转导通路的相关研究提供参考。     

AtRAE1 is involved in degradation of ABA receptor RCAR1 and negatively regulates ABA signalling in Arabidopsis

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role in regulating plant growth, development, and adaption to various environmental stresses. Regulatory components of ABA receptors (RCARs, also known as PYR/PYLs) sense ABA and initiate ABA signalling through inhibiting the activities of protein phosphatase 2C in Arabidopsis. However, the way in which ABA receptors are regulated is not well known. A DWD protein AtRAE1 (for RNA export factor 1 in Arabidopsis), which may act as a substrate receptor of CUL4–DDB1 E3 ligase, is an interacting partner of RCAR1/PYL9. The physical interaction between RCAR1 and AtRAE1 is confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of AtRAE1 in Arabidopsis causes reduced sensitivity of plants to ABA, whereas suppression of AtRAE1 causes increased sensitivity to ABA. Analysis of protein stability demonstrates that RCAR1 is ubiquitinated and degraded in plant cells and AtRAE1 regulates the degradation speed of RCAR1. Our findings indicate that AtRAE1 likely participates in ABA signalling through regulating the degradation of ABA receptor RCAR1.     

ROP11 GTPase Negatively Regulates ABA Signaling by Protecting ABI1 Phosphatase Activity from Inhibition by the ABA Receptor RCAR1/PYL9 in Arabidopsis

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) regulates many key processes in plants, such as seed germina- tion, seedling growth, and abiotic stress tolerance. In recent years, a minimal set of core components of a major ABA signaling pathway has been discovered. These components include a RCAR/PYR/PYL family of ABA receptors, a group of PP2C phosphatases, and three SnRK2 kinases. However, how the interactions between the receptors and their targets are regulated by other proteins remains largely unknown. In a companion paper published in this issue, we showed that ROP11, a member of the plant- specific Rho-like small GTPase family, negatively regulates multiple ABA responses in Arabidopsis. The current work demonstrated that the constitutively active ROP11 (CA-ROP11) can modulate the RCAR1/PYL9-mediated ABA signaling pathway based on reconstitution assays in Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts. Furthermore, using luciferase complementation imaging, yeast two-hybrid assays, co- immunoprecipitation assays in Nicotiana benthamiana and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, we demonstrated that CA-ROP11 directly interacts with ABI1, a signaling component downstream of RCAR1/PYL9. Finally, we provided biochemical evidence that CA-ROP11 protects ABI1 phosphatase activity from inhibition by RCAR1/PYL9 and thus negatively regulates ABA signaling in plant cells. A model of how ROP11 acts to negatively regulate ABA signaling is presented.     

The ABA receptor-like gene VyPYL9 from drought-resistance wild grapevine confers drought tolerance and ABA hypersensitivity in Arabidopsis

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - The PYR/PYL/RCAR (hereafter referred to PYLs) proteins, which act as abscisic acid (ABA) receptors, have been reported to play a crucial role in...     

Molecular basis for the selective and ABA-independent inhibition of PP2CA by PYL13

PYR1/PYL/RCAR family proteins (PYLs) are well-characterized abscisic acid (ABA) receptors. Among the 14 PYL members in Arabidopsis thaliana, PYL13 is ABA irresponsive and its function has remained elusive. Here, we show that PYL13 selectively inhibits the phosphatase activity of PP2CA independent of ABA. The crystal structure of PYL13-PP2CA complex, which was determined at 2.4 Å resolution, elucidates the molecular basis for the specific recognition between PP2CA and PYL13. In addition to the canonical interactions between PYLs and PP2Cs, an extra interface is identified involving an element in the vicinity of a previously uncharacterized CCCH zinc-finger (ZF) motif in PP2CA. Sequence blast identified another 56 ZF-containing PP2Cs, all of which are from plants. The structure also reveals the molecular determinants for the ABA irresponsiveness of PYL13. Finally, biochemical analysis suggests that PYL13 may hetero-oligomerize with PYL10. These two PYLs antagonize each other in their respective ABA-independent inhibitions of PP2Cs. The biochemical and structural studies provide important insights into the function of PYL13 in the stress response of plant and set up a foundation for future biotechnological applications of PYL13.     

ABA信号通路的起源与进化

植物激素脱落酸（abscisic acid,ABA）在植物的生长、发育和胁迫反应方面起重要的调控作用,其信号转导通路由4个核心组分共同组成一个双重负调控系统（PYR/PYL/RCAR—| PP2C—| SnRK2—ABF/AREB）,调控ABA应答反应。本文在综述和分析ABA信号通路4个核心组分的起源与进化的基础上,初步提出ABA信号通路的起源与进化路径：A类PP2C、第Ⅲ亚类SnRK2以及转录因子AREB/ABF在水生植物轮藻中已经进化产生,当陆生植物进化产生ABA受体PYR/PYL/RCAR后,即与其它3个组分形成完整的ABA信号通路。在植物进化过程中,ABA信号通路4个核心组分各家族成员的数量（亚类）呈递增趋势。     

Action of natural abscisic acid precursors and catabolites on abscisic acid receptor complexes

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) regulates stress responses and controls numerous aspects of plant growth and development. Biosynthetic precursors and catabolites of ABA have been shown to trigger ABA responses in physiological assays, but it is not clear whether these are intrinsically active or whether they are converted into ABA in planta. In this study, we analyzed the effect of ABA precursors, conjugates, and catabolites on hormone signaling in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The compounds were also tested in vitro for their ability to regulate the phosphatase moiety of ABA receptor complexes consisting of the protein phosphatase 2C ABI2 and the coreceptors RCAR1/PYL9, RCAR3/PYL8, and RCAR11/PYR1. Using mutants defective in ABA biosynthesis, we show that the physiological activity associated with ABA precursors derives predominantly from their bioconversion to ABA. The ABA glucose ester conjugate, which is the most widespread storage form of ABA, showed weak ABA-like activity in germination assays and in triggering ABA signaling in protoplasts. The ABA conjugate and precursors showed negligible activity as a regulatory ligand of the ABI2/RCAR receptor complexes. The majority of ABA catabolites were inactive in our assays. To analyze the chemically unstable 8'- and 9'-hydroxylated ABA catabolites, we used stable tetralone derivatives of these compounds, which did trigger selective ABA responses. ABA synthetic analogs exhibited differential activity as regulatory ligands of different ABA receptor complexes in vitro. The data show that ABA precursors, catabolites, and conjugates have limited intrinsic bioactivity and that both natural and synthetic ABA-related compounds can be used to probe the structural requirements of ABA ligand-receptor interactions.     

C2-Domain Abscisic Acid-Related Proteins Mediate the Interaction of PYR/PYL/RCAR Abscisic Acid Receptors with the Plasma Membrane and Regulate Abscisic Acid Sensitivity in Arabidopsis

Membrane-delimited abscisic acid (ABA) signal transduction plays a critical role in early ABA signaling, but the molecular mechanisms linking core signaling components to the plasma membrane are unclear. We show that transient calcium-dependent interactions of PYR/PYL ABA receptors with membranes are mediated through a 10-member family of C2-domain ABA-related (CAR) proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. Specifically, we found that PYL4 interacted in an ABA-independent manner with CAR1 in both the plasma membrane and nucleus of plant cells. CAR1 belongs to a plant-specific gene family encoding CAR1 to CAR10 proteins, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation and coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that PYL4-CAR1 as well as other PYR/PYL-CAR pairs interacted in plant cells. The crystal structure of CAR4 was solved, which revealed that, in addition to a classical calcium-dependent lipid binding C2 domain, a specific CAR signature is likely responsible for the interaction with PYR/PYL receptors and their recruitment to phospholipid vesicles. This interaction is relevant for PYR/PYL function and ABA signaling, since different car triple mutants affected in CAR1, CAR4, CAR5, and CAR9 genes showed reduced sensitivity to ABA in seedling establishment and root growth assays. In summary, we identified PYR/PYL-interacting partners that mediate a transient Ca²⁺-dependent interaction with phospholipid vesicles, which affects PYR/PYL subcellular localization and positively regulates ABA signaling.