Interaction of Arabidopsis DET1 with CCA1 and LHY in Mediating Transcriptional Repression in the Plant Circadian Clock

SummaryThe COP10-DET1-DDB1 (CDD) complex is an evolutionarily conserved protein complex discovered for its role in the repression of photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis. It is important in many cellular and developmental processes in both plants and animals, but its molecular mode of action remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the CDD component DET1 possesses transcriptional repression activity and physically interacts with two closely related MYB transcription factors, CCA1 and LHY, which are core components of the plant circadian clock. DET1 associates with the promoter of CCA1/LHY target genes, such as TOC1, in a CCA1/LHY-dependent manner and is required for their repression, suggesting a recruitment of DET1 by the central oscillator components to regulate the clock. Our results reveal DET1 as a core transcriptional repression factor important for clock progression. Overall, the CDD complex may function as a transcriptional corepressor in diverse processes through direct interaction with distinct transcription factors.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload high-quality image (241 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► DET1, a CDD complex component, can direct transcriptional repression
► DET1 interacts with CCA1 and LHY, which are core circadian components in plants
► DET1 binds to target genes of CCA1/LHY and regulates their oscillations
► DET1 is required for the repressive function of CCA1 in the circadian clock