The Photoperiod Stress Response in Arabidopsis thaliana Depends on Auxin Acting as an Antagonist to the Protectant Cytokinin

Fluctuating environmental conditions trigger adaptive responses in plants, which are regulated by phytohormones. During photoperiod stress caused by a prolongation of the light period, cytokinin (CK) has a protective function. Auxin often acts as an antagonist of CK in developmental processes and stress responses. Here, we investigated the regulation of the photoperiod stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana by auxin and its interaction with CK. Transcriptome analysis revealed an altered transcript abundance of numerous auxin metabolism and signaling genes after photoperiod stress treatment. The changes appeared earlier and were stronger in the photoperiod-stress-sensitive CK receptor mutant arabidopsis histidine kinase 2 (ahk2),3 compared to wild-type plants. The concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), IAA-Glc and IAA-Asp increased in both genotypes, but the increases were more pronounced in ahk2,3. Genetic analysis revealed that the gain-of-function YUCCA 1 (YUC1) mutant, yuc1D, displayed an increased photoperiod stress sensitivity. In contrast, a loss of the auxin receptors TRANSPORT-INHIBITOR-RESISTANT 1 (TIR1), AUXIN SIGNALING F-BOX 2 (AFB2) and AFB3 in wild-type and ahk2,3 background caused a reduced photoperiod stress response. Overall, this study revealed that auxin promotes response to photoperiod stress antagonizing the protective CK.