Mathematical modeling reveals that metabolic feedback regulation of SnRK1 and hexokinase is sufficient to control sugar homeostasis from energy depletion to full recovery

Sucrose and trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) are central compounds in the regulation and orchestration of whole plant metabolism, growth, development, and flowering. To evaluate their highly complex and regulatory interaction with the two conserved sugar and energy sensors Snf1-related protein kinase 1 (SnRK1), an AMPK-related protein kinase, and hexokinase (Hxk), we developed a kinetic model which demonstrates the subtle metabolic control of sugar homeostasis in a wide range of concentrations without the need for changes in gene expression or protein concentrations. Our model approach is based on a comprehensive set of published metabolite concentrations under various conditions and coupled enzyme kinetics accounting for the role of SnRK1 and Hxk in the sugar and energy homeostasis. This allowed us to investigate interactions between sugar phosphates, such as T6P, which are metabolic inhibitors of SnRK1 and Hxk, and sucrose synthesis during the transition from carbon deficiency to availability. Model simulations and sensitivity analyses indicated that slight changes in SnRK1 activity induced by allosteric effectors may be sufficient to explain a dramatic readjustment of metabolic homeostasis. This may comprise up to 10-fold changes in metabolite concentrations. Further, the Hxk/T6P/SnRK1 interaction implemented in the model supports the interpretation of phenotypic and transcriptomic changes observed in Hxk overexpressing plants. Finally, our approach presents a theoretical framework to kinetically link metabolic networks to underlying regulatory instances.