Title: Dose-Duration Reciprocity for G protein activation: Modulation of kinase to substrate ratio alters cell signaling

Abstract

In animal cells, activation of heterotrimeric G protein signaling generally occurs when the system’s cognate signal exceeds a threshold, whereas in plant cells, both the amount and the exposure time of at least one signal, D-glucose, are used toward activation. This unusual signaling property called Dose-Duration Reciprocity, first elucidated in the genetic model Arabidopsis thaliana, is achieved by a complex that is comprised of a 7-transmembrane REGULATOR OF G SIGNALING (RGS) protein (AtRGS1), a Gα subunit that binds and hydrolyzes nucleotide, a Gβγ dimer, and three WITH NO LYSINE (WNK) kinases. D-glucose is one of several signals such as salt and pathogen-derived molecular patterns that operates through this protein complex to activate G protein signaling by WNK kinase transphosphorylation of AtRGS1. Because WNK kinases compete for the same substrate, AtRGS1, we hypothesize that activation is sensitive to the AtRGS1 amount and that modulation of the AtRGS1 pool affects the response to the stimulant. Mathematical simulation revealed that the ratio of AtRGS1 to the kinase affects system sensitivity to D-glucose, and therefore illustrates how modulation of the cellular AtRGS1 level is a means to change signal-induced activation. AtRGS1 levels change under tested conditions that mimic physiological conditions therefore, we propose amore » previously-unknown mechanism by which plants react to changes in their environment.« less

Authors:

Liao, Kang-Ling ^[1]; Melvin, Charles E. ^[2]; Sozzani, Rosangela ^[2]; Jones, Roger D. ^[3]; Elston, Timothy C. ^[4]; Jones, Alan M.  ^[5]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (United States). Dept. of Biology
2. Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (United States). Dept. of Plant and Microbial Biology
3. Stevens Inst. of Technology, Hoboken, NJ (United States)
4. Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (United States). Dept. of Pharmacology
5. Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (United States). Dept. of Biology, and Dept. of Pharmacology

Publication Date:

Fri Dec 29 00:00:00 EST 2017

Research Org.:

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1499880

Grant/Contract Number:  

FG02-05ER15671

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

PLoS ONE

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 12; Journal Issue: 12; Journal ID: ISSN 1932-6203

Publisher:

Public Library of Science

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES