Proteomics revealed novel functions and drought tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana protein kinase ATG1.

Abstract

ATG1 stimulates autophagy biogenesis and serves as a gatekeeper for classical autophagy. To obtain insight into the control of autophagy by ATG1 and determine whether ATG1 has broader processes, we performed a thorough proteomics analysis on the Col-0 wild-type and atg1abct mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proteomic data analysis pointed out that ATG1 has an unidentified function within the inositol trisphosphate and fatty acid metabolism. We also discovered ATG1-dependent autophagy has an emerging connection with ER homeostasis and ABA biosynthesis. Moreover, Gene Ontology terms for abiotic and biotic stress were strongly enriched in differentially abundant proteins, consistent with the reported role of canonical autophagy in these processes. Additional physiological and biochemical analysis revealed that atg1abct exhibited stronger drought resistance under both PEG-simulated drought treatment and natural drought stress. Results from DAB staining also indicated that atg1abct accumulation fewer ROS than Col-0 following drought treatment. As a result, these results illuminate previously unknown functions for ATG1 and offers novel perspectives into the underlying processes of autophagy function.