Work

Hundreds of plant F-box proteins in search of function

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: F-box proteins (FBPs), the substrate-recognition subunits of SCF (SKP1-Cullin1-F-box) E3 ubiquitin ligases, are pivotal regulators of protein turnover and play central roles in shaping cellular signaling dynamics. In plants, the repertoire of FBP-encoding genes has undergone remarkable expansion, giving rise to one of the largest and most functionally diverse protein families in the plant kingdom. This diversification underpins an extensive regulatory capacity, enabling FBPs to modulate processes such as hormone perception, developmental patterning, circadian rhythm, and responses to a wide spectrum of biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we synthesize recent advances that illuminate the molecular mechanisms governing FBP activity, including insights into substrate recognition and their potential applications.

Source: Journal of Experimental Botany

DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erag074

Authors: Vishal Varshney, Thomas Potuschak, Shunping Yan, Sandra Noir, Pascal Genschik

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Université de Strasbourg, Huazhong Agricultural University

Language: English

Topic: Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Agence Nationale de la Recherche

Awards: Façonner les talents en formation et en recherche à l'Université de Strasbourg, Integrative Molecular and Cellular Biology, A central control hub in DNA damage responses: function and regulation of the RBR module