The prion-like domain of the chloroplast RNA binding protein CP29A is required for cold-induced phase separation next to nucleoids and supports RNA splicing and translation during cold acclimation
Legen, J.; Lenzen, B.; Kachariya, N.; Feltgen, S.; Gao, Y.; Mergenthal, S.; Weber, W.; Klotzsch, E.; Zoschke, R.; Sattler, M.; Schmitz-Linneweber, C.
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Arabidopsis thaliana is capable of producing photosynthetic tissue with active chloroplasts at temperatures as low as 4{degrees}C, and this process depends on the presence of the nuclear-encoded, chloroplast-localized RNA-binding protein CP29A. In this study, we demonstrate that CP29A undergoes phase separation in vitro and in vivo in a temperature-dependent manner, which is mediated by a prion-like domain (PLD) located between the two RNA recognition motif (RRM) domains of CP29A. The resulting droplets display liquid-like properties and are found in close proximity to chloroplast nucleoids. The PLD is required to support chloroplast RNA splicing and translation in cold-treated tissue. Together, our findings suggest that plant chloroplast gene expression is compartmentalized by inducible condensation of CP29A at low temperatures, a mechanism that could play a crucial role for plant cold resistance.
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