Multiple feedback loops of the Arabidopsis circadian clock provide rhythmic robustness across environmental conditions
Abstract
While all eukaryotic circadian clocks depend on transcriptional feedback loops, the plant circadian network is uniquely complex. An apparent redundancy in the plant clock is two types of transcription factors that antagonistically regulate common target genes. Here, we show that, although loss of either repressor- or activator-type factors perturbs clock pace and plant development, simultaneous loss of both types of factors restores near-wild-type development and largely rescues circadian period and phase phenotypes at ambient temperatures. However, in the higher-order mutant, rhythmic amplitude is reduced under optimal temperature, and rhythmicity is lost at low or high temperatures within the physiologically relevant range. Our data suggest that the multiple feedback loops of the plant clock help ensure rhythmicity under adverse environmental conditions.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1805524115
- Bibcode:
- 2018PNAS..115.7147S