RACK1A positively regulates opening of the apical hook in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> via suppression of its auxin response gradient

Q Qian Ma (State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry) S Sijia Liu S Siamsa M. Doyle (Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) S Sara Raggi (Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) B Barbora Pařízková (Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science of Palacký University & Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences) D Deepak Kumar Barange (Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) H Hemamshu Ratnakaram (Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) E Edward G. Wilkinson (Department of Biology, Duke University) I Isidro Crespo Garcia (BL13-XALOC Beamline, Experiments Division, ALBA Synchrotron, Cerdanyola del Vallès) J Joakim Bygdell (Computational Life Science Cluster, Department of Chemistry, Umeå University) G Gunnar Wingsle (Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) D Dirk Roeland Boer (BL13-XALOC Beamline, Experiments Division, ALBA Synchrotron, Cerdanyola del Vallès) L Lucia C. Strader (Department of Biology, Duke University) F Fredrik Almqvist (Department of Chemistry, Umeå University) O Ondřej Novák (Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) S Stéphanie Robert (Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

Abstract

Apical hook development is an ideal model for studying differential growth in plants and is controlled by complex phytohormonal crosstalk, with auxin being the major player. Here, we identified a bioactive small molecule that decelerates apical hook opening in Arabidopsis thaliana . Our genetic studies suggest that this molecule enhances or maintains the auxin maximum found in the inner hook side and requires certain auxin signaling components to modulate apical hook opening. Using biochemical approaches, we then revealed the WD40 repeat scaffold protein RECEPTOR FOR ACTIVATED C KINASE 1A (RACK1A) as a direct target of this compound. We present data in support of RACK1A playing a positive role in apical hook opening by activating specific auxin signaling mechanisms and negatively regulating the differential auxin response gradient across the hook, thereby adjusting differential cell growth, an essential process for organ structure and function in plants.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 30
Published July 29, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (16)

Q

Qian Ma

State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry

S

Sijia Liu

S

Siamsa M. Doyle

Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

S

Sara Raggi

Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

B

Barbora Pařízková

Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science of Palacký University & Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences

D

Deepak Kumar Barange

Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

H

Hemamshu Ratnakaram

Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

E

Edward G. Wilkinson

Department of Biology, Duke University

I

Isidro Crespo Garcia

BL13-XALOC Beamline, Experiments Division, ALBA Synchrotron, Cerdanyola del Vallès

J

Joakim Bygdell

Computational Life Science Cluster, Department of Chemistry, Umeå University

G

Gunnar Wingsle

Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

D

Dirk Roeland Boer

BL13-XALOC Beamline, Experiments Division, ALBA Synchrotron, Cerdanyola del Vallès

L

Lucia C. Strader

Department of Biology, Duke University

F

Fredrik Almqvist

Department of Chemistry, Umeå University

O

Ondřej Novák

Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

S

Stéphanie Robert

Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences