A current model for ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis in auxin signal transduction. In the absence of auxin,
AUX/IAA proteins (blue balls) heterodimerize with auxin response factor (ARF) transcriptional activators
(purple balls), thereby preventing the latter from activating auxin-inducible genes with linked upstream
AuxRE cassette. Auxin, through an unknown mechanism (AUX/IAA protein phosphorylation perhaps) increases
the binding of AUX/IAA to the TIR1 subunit of the SCFTIR1 complex, which catalyzes the ubiquitylation of
AUX/IAA proteins targeting them for proteasome-dependent degradation. AUX/IAA protein degradation releases
ARF factors which are now able to activate transcription of auxin-inducible genes including the AUX/IAA genes.
The de novo synthesis of AUX/IAA proteins leads to a re-sequestration of ARF factors into inactive heterodimers,
thus restoring the steady state equilibrium of the system and rendering cells ready for a new response.
Degradation of EIR1, an auxin efflux carrier that regulates the root gravitropic response, is also likely to be mediated
by the SCFTIR1 complex as the EIR1 protein is stabilized in the axr1 mutant. AXR1 positively regulates the
SCFTIR1 complex because it is involved in the addition of the ubiquitin homologue RUB1 which is necessary for
SCF activity. The COP9 signalosome has been shown to promote deconjugation of RUB1, playing a function
antagonistic to AXR1 action. However, a reduction in COP9 signalosome activity decreases auxin responsiveness.
Therefore, it is likely that RUB1 cycling per se might be important for SCFTIR1 complex function in mediating auxin
signal transduction.