Phosphorylation of the mitochondrial triphosphate tunnel metalloenzyme TTM1 regulates programmed cell death in senescence

The role of mitochondria in programmed cell death (PCD) during animal growth and development is well documented, but much less is known for plants. We previously showed that the Arabidopsis thaliana triphosphate tunnel metalloenzyme (TTM) proteins TTM1 and TTM2 are tail-anchored proteins that localize in the mitochondrial outer membrane and participate in PCD during senescence and immunity, respectively. Here, we show that TTM1 is specifically involved in senescence induced by abscisic acid (ABA). Moreover, phosphorylation of TTM1 by multiple mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulates its function and turnover. A combination of proteomics and in vitro kinase assays revealed three major phosphorylation sites of TTM1 (S10, S437, and S490), which are phosphorylated upon perception of senescence cues such as ABA and prolonged darkness. S437 is phosphorylated by the MAP kinases MPK3 and MPK4, and S437 phosphorylation is essential for TTM1 function in senescence. These MPKs, together with three additional MAP kinases (MPK1, MPK7, and MPK6), phosphorylate S10 and S490, marking TTM1 for protein turnover, which likely prevents uncontrolled cell death. Taken together, our results show that multiple MPKs regulate the function and turnover of the mitochondrial protein TTM1 during senescence-related PCD, revealing a novel link between mitochondria and PCD. SummaryEmail addresses: purva.karia@mail.utoronto.ca