3D Domain Swapping Dimerization of the Receiver Domain of Cytokinin Receptor CRE1 From Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula

Cytokinins are phytohormones regulating many biological processes that are vital to plants. CYTOKININ RESPONSE1 (CRE1), the main cytokinin receptor, has a modular architecture composed of a cytokinin-binding CHASE (Cyclases/Histidine kinases Associated Sensory Extracellular) domain, followed by a transmembrane fragment, an intracellular histidine kinase (HK) domain, and a receiver domain (REC). Perception of cytokinin signaling involves (i) a hormone molecule binding to the CHASE domain, (ii) CRE1 autophosphorylation at a conserved His residue in the HK domain, followed by a phosphorelay to (iii) a conserved Asp residue in the REC domain, (iv) a histidine-containing phosphotransfer protein (HPt), and (v) a response regulator (RR). This work focuses on the crystal structures of the REC domain of CRE1 from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and from the model legume Medicago truncatula. Both REC domains form tight 3D-domain-swapped dimers. Dimerization of the REC domain agrees with the quaternary assembly of the entire CRE1 but is incompatible with a model of its complex with HPt, suggesting that a considerable conformational change should occur to enable the signal transduction. Indeed, phosphorylation of the REC domain can change the HPt-binding properties of CRE1, as shown by functional studies.