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Targeted degradation of TOC1 by ZTL modulates circadian function in Arabidopsis thaliana

Nature volume 426, pages 567–570 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

The underlying mechanism of circadian rhythmicity appears to be conserved among organisms, and is based on negative transcriptional feedback loops forming a cellular oscillator (or ‘clock’)1,2. Circadian changes in protein stability, phosphorylation and subcellular localization also contribute to the generation and maintenance of this clock1,2. In plants, several genes have been shown to be closely associated with the circadian system3,4. However, the molecular mechanisms proposed to regulate the plant clock are mostly based on regulation at the transcriptional level3,4. Here we provide genetic and molecular evidence for a role of ZEITLUPE (ZTL)5,6,7 in the targeted degradation of TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1 (TOC1)8,9 in Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress). The physical interaction of TOC1 with ZTL is abolished by the ztl-1 mutation, resulting in constitutive levels of TOC1 protein expression. The dark-dependent degradation of TOC1 protein requires functional ZTL, and is prevented by inhibiting the proteosome pathway. Our results show that the TOC1–ZTL interaction is important in the control of TOC1 protein stability, and is probably responsible for the regulation of circadian period by the clock.

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Figure 1: Genetic and molecular interaction between TOC1 and ZTL.
Figure 2: TOC1 protein and RNA expression in LD cycles.
Figure 3: TOC1 RNA and protein expression in LL.
Figure 4: Cell-free TOC1 protein degradation assay.
Figure 5: Dark-dependent TOC1 protein degradation.

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Acknowledgements

We thank H. Tran, T. Imaizumi and S. Hazen for critical reading of the manuscript. This research was supported by the NIH (S.A.K.) and the NSF (D.E.S).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA

    Paloma Más & Steve A. Kay

  2. Department of Plant Biology, Plant Biotechnology Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA

    Woe-Yeon Kim & David E. Somers

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  1. Paloma Más
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Correspondence to Steve A. Kay.

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Más, P., Kim, WY., Somers, D. et al. Targeted degradation of TOC1 by ZTL modulates circadian function in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nature 426, 567–570 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02163

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