Gibberellin regulates UV-B-induced hypocotyl growth inhibition in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant response to light is a complex and diverse phenomenon. Several studies have elucidated the mechanisms via which light and hormones regulate hypocotyl growth. However, the hormone-dependent ultraviolet-B (UV-B) response in plants remains obscure. Involvement of gibberellins (GAs) in UV-B-induced hypocotyl inhibition and its mechanisms in Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated in the present research. UV-B exposure remarkably decreased the endogenous GA(3) content through the UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) receptor pathway, and exogenous GA(3) partially restored the hypocotyl growth. UV-B irradiation affected the expression levels of GA metabolism-related genes (GA20ox1, GA2ox1 and GA3ox1) in the hy5-215 mutant, resulting in increased GA content.ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) promoted the accumulation of DELLA proteins under UV-B radiation; HY5 appeared to regulate the abundance of DELLAs at the transcriptional level under UV-B. As a result, the GA(3) content decreased, which eventually led to the shortening of the hypocotyl. To conclude, the present study provides new insight into the regulation of plant photomorphogenesis under UV-B.

Automated summary

This study revealed that UV-B radiation decreases endogenous gibberellin content in plants, but exogenous gibberellin can partially restore hypocotyl growth; UV-B affects the expression of genes related to GA metabolism, leading to increased GA content; HY5 regulates hypocotyl growth under UV-B radiation by modulating the abundance of DELLAs.