A molecular framework for light and gibberellin control of cell elongation
Authors: Christian Fankhauser
Elena Titarenko
Mariela Pontin
Miguel de Lucas
Jean-Michel Davière
Séverine Lorrain
Salomé Prat
Juan Manuel Iglesias-Pedraz
Mariana Rodríguez-Falcón
Miguel Angel Blázquez
Journal: Nature (2008)
Discipline: Multidisciplinary
Keywords: Cell elongation; seedling development; light; gibberellins; Arabidopsis thaliana
Affiliations: Departamento de Genética Molecular de Plantas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Campus Univ. Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco. c/ Darwin 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain.

Abstract:  Cell elongation during seedling development is antagonistically regulated by light and gibberellins (GAs). Light induces photomorphogenesis, leading to inhibition of hypocotyl growth, whereas GAs promote etiolated growth, characterized by increased hypocotyl elongation. The mechanism underlying this antagonistic interaction remains unclear. Here we report on the central role of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear transcription factor PIF4 (encoded by PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4) in the positive control of genes mediating cell elongation and show that this factor is negatively regulated by the light photoreceptor phyB (ref. 4) and by DELLA proteins that have a key repressor function in GA signalling. Our results demonstrate that PIF4 is destabilized by phyB in the light and that DELLAs block PIF4 transcriptional activity by binding the DNA-recognition domain of this factor. We show that GAs abrogate such repression by promoting DELLA destabilization, and therefore cause a concomitant accumulation of free PIF4 in the nucleus. Consistent with this model, intermediate hypocotyl lengths were observed in transgenic plants over-accumulating both DELLAs and PIF4. Destabilization of this factor by phyB, together with its inactivation by DELLAs, constitutes a protein interaction framework that explains how plants integrate both light and GA signals to optimize growth and development in response to changing environments. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 *[left]* Fig. 3 from [Mao et al (2019)] .  Effect of fucosterol on the expression of apoptosis associated proteins in A549 ... as depicted by western blotting . *[right]* Figure 6 from [Wen et al (2019)] .  Western blot for the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins of the SCC-1 human oral squamous cancer cells treated with xanthoxyletin . ![file] Different cell-lines, different treatments, different research groups; same bands. , 
 Hoya Camphorifolia, This is indeed a concern when your blots are being copied during or post-publication. However, how can we be held responsible. , 
 #2 Perhaps the authors could provide the uncropped original scans? ![file] , 
 #2 Thanks for your response Dr. Mao. It s definitely a devastating situation for anyone who somehow finds out that his data had been stolen by others. I checked both manuscripts, yours and the one flagged by Hoya from Dr. Qingquan Wen s group at Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Please see the following screenshots for some facts: 1. Wen s manuscript was submitted (to Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research) on **June 18, 2018 and subsequently accepted on July 10, 2018**. 2. Your manuscript was submitted (to Phytomedicine) on October 18, 2018, some 3 months later after Wen s paper was accepted by the other journal. If you believe that your data were copied by somebody else, this must have happened even before your submission to Phytomedicine, which I believe it s a very serious allegation to anyone having access to your data. I d suggest you report to your institution for a serious data safety breach. Or, there could be some other explanation that only you and Dr. Wen can provide. ![file] ![file] , 
 *[below]* Fig. 2B.  Fucosterol induces apoptosis in A549 and SK-LU-1 cells as depicted by ... (B) Annexin V PI staining. Received 18 October 2018; Accepted 23 December 2018. *[above]* Figure 3 from [Zhang, Yang Lin (2019)] .  DAPI staining (A) and annexin V PI staining (B) showing induction of apoptosis in the HT-29 and RKO colon cancer cells. Submitted: 5 April 2019. Accepted: 26 May 2019 ![file] , 
 *[below]* Fig. 5  Effect of fucosterol on the expression of cell cycle associated proteins in A549 and SK-LU-1 cells as depicted by western blotting . *[above]* Figure 6 from [Zhang, Yang Lin (2019)] .  Effect of bergamottin on expression of cell cycle related proteins in HT-29 and RKO colon cancer cells as depicted by western blot analysis. ![file] , 
 *[below]* Fig. 7.  Effect of fucosterol on Raf MEK ERK signalling pathway of A549 and SK-LU-1 cells as depicted by western blotting. *[above]* Figure 7 from [Zhang, Yang Lin (2019)] .  Effect of bergamottin on the Raf MEK ERK signalling pathway at indicated concentrations as depicted by western blot analysis. ![file] ,