Inositol pyrophosphates promote the interaction of SPX domains with the coiled-coil motif of PHR transcription factors to regulate plant phosphate homeostasis

Martina K. Ried, Rebekka Wild, Jinsheng Zhu, Joka Pipercevic, Kristina Sturm, Larissa Broger, Robert K. Harmel, Luciano A. Abriata, Ludwig A. Hothorn, Dorothea Fiedler, Sebastian Hiller and Michael Hothorn ()
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Martina K. Ried: University of Geneva
Rebekka Wild: University of Geneva
Jinsheng Zhu: University of Geneva
Joka Pipercevic: Biozentrum Basel
Kristina Sturm: University of Geneva
Larissa Broger: University of Geneva
Robert K. Harmel: Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie
Luciano A. Abriata: Protein production and structure Core Facility, EPFL
Ludwig A. Hothorn: Leibniz University
Dorothea Fiedler: Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie
Sebastian Hiller: Biozentrum Basel
Michael Hothorn: University of Geneva

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Phosphorus is an essential nutrient taken up by organisms in the form of inorganic phosphate (Pi). Eukaryotes have evolved sophisticated Pi sensing and signaling cascades, enabling them to stably maintain cellular Pi concentrations. Pi homeostasis is regulated by inositol pyrophosphate signaling molecules (PP-InsPs), which are sensed by SPX domain-containing proteins. In plants, PP-InsP-bound SPX receptors inactivate Myb coiled-coil (MYB-CC) Pi starvation response transcription factors (PHRs) by an unknown mechanism. Here we report that a InsP8–SPX complex targets the plant-unique CC domain of PHRs. Crystal structures of the CC domain reveal an unusual four-stranded anti-parallel arrangement. Interface mutations in the CC domain yield monomeric PHR1, which is no longer able to bind DNA with high affinity. Mutation of conserved basic residues located at the surface of the CC domain disrupt interaction with the SPX receptor in vitro and in planta, resulting in constitutive Pi starvation responses. Together, our findings suggest that InsP8 regulates plant Pi homeostasis by controlling the oligomeric state and hence the promoter binding capability of PHRs via their SPX receptors.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20681-4

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