Download MendeleyUnveiling FERONIA receptor kinase-mediated cellular mechanisms with a small-molecule inhibitor.
Sun, M., Lu, B., Yang, Y., Fan, J., Ren, W., Chu, X., Gao, Y., Wu, J., Wang, J., Ke, H., Liu, Z., Dai, S., Lei, X., Li, C.(2025) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 122: e2515322122-e2515322122
- PubMed: 41196348
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2515322122
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9UBI - PubMed Abstract:
Since its initial identification as the receptor for Rapid Alkalinization Factor 1 (RALF1), FERONIA (FER) receptor kinase has emerged as a central signaling hub coordinating plant development, stress adaptation, and immune responses. Nevertheless, fundamental questions persist regarding the precise mechanisms of FER-mediated signal transduction and its context-dependent functional specialization in multicellular processes. Here, we develop Ferovicin (FRV), a small-molecule inhibitor that specifically disrupts FER kinase activity, thereby enabling mechanistic dissection of FER. Cocrystallization and mutational analysis show that FRV selectively binds to the ATP-binding pocket of the kinase domain of FER and inhibits its kinase activity. Assisted by the FRV tool and quantitative phosphoproteomics, we characterized a series of signaling pathways and networks regulated by RALF1 and FER. Notably, our analysis reveals that RALF1 activates FER through phosphorylation at Ser695, which subsequently inhibits H + -ATPase1/2 via phosphorylation at Ser899. This mechanism leads to apoplastic alkalinization and regulates cell expansion in the root meristem. Given the conservation of FRV binding sites in FER proteins across land plant species, FRV will serve as a valuable tool for dissecting FER signaling mechanisms as well as facilitating agricultural applications.
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, and Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Organizational Affiliation:
