title: A reevaluation of the role of the heterotrimeric G protein in coupling light responses in Arabidopsis.
abstract: Previous studies implicated the involvement of a heterotrimeric G protein in red (R) and far-red (FR) light signal transduction, but these studies utilized pharmacological or gain-of-function approaches and, therefore, are indirect tests. Here, we reexamine the role of the single canonical heterotrimeric G protein in R and FR control of hypocotyl growth using a loss-of-function approach. Single- and double-null mutants for the GPA1, AGB1 genes encoding the alpha and beta subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein, respectively, have wild-type sensitivity to R and FR. Ectopic overexpression of wild type and a constitutive active form of the alpha subunit and of the wild-type beta subunit had no effect that can be unequivocally attributed to altered R and FR responsiveness. These results preclude a direct role for the heterotrimeric G complex in R and FR transduction in Arabidopsis leading to growth control in the hypocotyl.
authors.affiliation: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. alan_jones@unc.edu
authors.forename: Alan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ecker
authors.forename: Jin-Gui
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D044385:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits; D044387:GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008027:Light; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C089590:AGB1 protein, Arabidopsis; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C429765:GPA1 protein, Arabidopsis; D044385:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits; D044387:GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins