FERONIA-mediated TIR1/AFB2 oxidation stimulates auxin signaling in Arabidopsis

ABSTRACT

The phytohormone auxin plays a pivotal role in governing plant growth and development. While the TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE1/AUXIN SIGNALING F-BOX (TIR1/AFBs) receptors function in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, the mechanism governing the distribution of TIR1/AFBs between these small cellular compartments remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that auxin-mediated oxidation of TIR1/AFB2 is essential for their targeting to the nucleus. Our findings reveal that small active molecules, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), are indispensable for the nucleo-cytoplasmic distribution of TIR1/AFB2 in trichoblasts and root hairs. This process is regulated by the FERONIA receptor kinase–NADPH oxidase signaling pathway. ROS and NO initiate oxidative modifications in TIR1^C140/516 and AFB2^C135/511, facilitating their subsequent nuclear import. The oxidized forms of TIR1^C140/516 and AFB2^C135/511 play a crucial role in enhancing the functionality of TIR1 and AFB2 in transcriptional auxin responses. In summary, our study unveils a novel mechanism through which auxin stimulates the transportation of TIR1/AFB2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, orchestrated by the FERONIA–ROS signaling pathway.