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Arabidopsis response to the apocarotenoid zaxinone involves interference with strigolactone signaling via binding to DWARF14

Author

Listed:
  • Juan C. Moreno

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division)

  • Umar F. Shahul Hameed

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Computational Biology Research Center)

  • Aparna Balakrishna

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division)

  • Abdugaffor Ablazov

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division)

  • Kit Xi Liew

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division)

  • Muhammad Jamil

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division)

  • Jianing Mi

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
    Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine)

  • Kawthar Alashoor

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division)

  • Alexandre de Saint Germain

    (Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech)

  • Stefan T. Arold

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Computational Biology Research Center)

  • Salim Al-Babili

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, The Bioactives Laboratory, Center for Desert Agriculture
    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Plant Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division)

Abstract

The natural growth regulator zaxinone increases the levels of the phytohormones strigolactone (SL) and abscisic acid in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) via unknown mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that part of the effect of zaxinone in Arabidopsis depend on the SL receptor DWARF14 (AtD14) and the F-Box protein MORE AXILLARY BRANCHING2 (AtMAX2) that mediate the signaling of SLs and karrikins. Binding assays and co-crystallization reveal zaxinone as an additional ligand of AtD14 and an SL antagonist that interrupts the interaction of AtD14 with AtMAX2. Zaxinone also binds to the karrikin receptor KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (AtKAI2). These findings unveil a perception mechanism for zaxinone in Arabidopsis and demonstrate the capability of AtD14 to bind signaling molecules, other than strigolactones and mediate their transduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan C. Moreno & Umar F. Shahul Hameed & Aparna Balakrishna & Abdugaffor Ablazov & Kit Xi Liew & Muhammad Jamil & Jianing Mi & Kawthar Alashoor & Alexandre de Saint Germain & Stefan T. Arold & Salim A, 2025. "Arabidopsis response to the apocarotenoid zaxinone involves interference with strigolactone signaling via binding to DWARF14," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63845-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63845-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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