Ligand-induced degradation of the ethylene receptor ETR2 through a proteasome-dependent pathway in Arabidopsis.
Protein degradation plays an important role in modulating ethylene signal transduction in plants. Here we show that the ethylene receptor ETR2 is one such target for degradation and that its degradation is dependent upon perception of the signaling ligand ethylene. The ETR2 protein is initially induced by ethylene treatment, consistent with an increase in transcript levels. At ethylene concentrations above 1 mul/liter, however, ETR2 protein levels subsequently decrease in a post-transcriptional fashion. Genetic and chemical approaches indicate that ethylene perception by the receptors initiates the reduction in ETR2 protein levels. The ethylene-induced decrease in ETR2 levels is not affected by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein biosynthesis, but is affected by proteasome inhibitors, indicating a role for the proteasome in ETR2 degradation. Ethylene-induced degradation still occurs in seedlings treated with brefeldin A, indicating that degradation of ETR2 does not require exit from its subcellular location at the endoplasmic reticulum. These data support a model in which ETR2 is degraded by a proteasome-dependent pathway in response to ethylene binding. Implications of this model for ethylene signaling are discussed.
Chen
Yi-Feng
YF
Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA.
Shakeel
Samina N
SN
Bowers
Julie
J
Zhao
Xue-Chu
XC
Etheridge
Naomi
N
Schaller
G Eric
GE
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000378:metabolism*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000737:chemistry; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D008024:Ligands; D008954:Models, Biological; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / Q000378:metabolism*; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C523313:ETR2 protein, Arabidopsis; D005030:Ethylenes; D008024:Ligands; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C083750:ethylene receptors, plant; C036216:ethylene; D003513:Cycloheximide; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex