HOS15 (High Expression of Osmotically Responsive Genes 15) is a nuclear-localized WD40-repeat protein that regulates gene expression through chromatin remodeling and protein degradation. Key roles include:
Corepressor Activity: HOS15 interacts with histone deacetylases (HDACs) like HD2C and HDA9 to deacetylate histones, repressing stress-responsive genes (e.g., RD29A, COR genes) under non-stressed conditions .
Immunity Regulation: HOS15 destabilizes NPR1, a master regulator of salicylic acid (SA)-mediated immunity, via SCF/CUL1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes. This limits defense gene overexpression and balances growth-defense trade-offs .
Cold Stress Response: HOS15 promotes HD2C degradation under cold stress, enhancing histone acetylation at cold-responsive gene promoters to activate transcription .
HOS15 operates in dynamic complexes with other proteins and enzymes:
Histone Deacetylation: HOS15 recruits HDACs to repress RD29A and SNC1 (NLR gene) by reducing H4K16ac and H3K9ac levels .
Epigenetic Regulation: Mutations in hos15 result in hyperacetylated chromatin at stress-responsive promoters, leading to constitutive gene activation .
SCF/CUL1-Mediated Ubiquitination: HOS15 acts as a substrate receptor for SCF/CUL1 E3 ligases, tagging NPR1 for proteasomal degradation .
Cold-Induced HD2C Degradation: HOS15 facilitates HD2C turnover under cold stress, enabling CBF transcription factors to activate cold-responsive genes .
Antibody-Specific Studies: No studies directly address HOS15-specific antibodies. Antibodies targeting HOS15 may be used in immunoblotting or immunoprecipitation to study its subcellular localization or interactions.
Cross-Talk with Other Pathways: HOS15’s role in integrating SA, ABA, and cold signaling warrants further investigation .
Agricultural Applications: hos15 mutants show enlarged siliques and enhanced stress tolerance, suggesting breeding potential .