PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 7 moderates the activity of phytochrome A in canopy shade conditions

Abstract

In nature, plants perceive and respond to complex vegetative environments through the phytochrome (phy) photoreceptor-signaling system. The canopy adaptation strategy, elicited by phyA, together with the shade avoidance syndrome, regulated by phyB, enables plants to adapt to diverse forms of vegetation shade. The phyA High Irradiance Response (HIR) mode, which involves photocycle-coupled nuclear shuttling, is essential for sensing sustained far-red rich conditions typical of canopy or occlusive shade. Our research identifies PHYTOCHROME INTERACTION FACTOR 7 (PIF7) as a key regulator of phyA function. We show that PIF7ox effectively suppresses phyA action. Under persistent shade, PIF7 and phyA both accumulate and interact within nuclear photobodies, with binding mediated by the C-terminal domain of PIF7 and the PAS-PAS domain of phyA. PIF7 also interacts with FHY1 and FHL transport facilitators, thereby interfering with phyA cytosolic-nuclear shuttling. This coordinated molecular targeting by PIF7 constitutes an effective strategy for modulating phyA function under shaded conditions.