DDB2, DDB1A and DET1 exhibit complex interactions during Arabidopsis development

Damaged DNA-binding proteins I and 2 (DDB1 and DDB2) are Subunits of the damaged DNA-binding protein complex (DDB). DDB1 is also found in the same complex as DE-ETIOLATED 1 (DET1), a negative regulator of light-mediated responses in plants. Arabidopsis has two DDB1 homologs, DDB1A and DDB1B. ddb1a single mutants have no visible phenotype while ddb1b mutants are lethal. We have identified a partial loss-of-function allele of DDB2. To understand the genetic interaction among DDB2, DDB1A, and DET1 during Arabidopsis light signaling, we generated single, double, and triple mutants. del1 ddb2 partially enhances the short hypocotyl and suppresses the high anthocyanin content of dark-grown det1 and suppresses the low chlorophyll content, early flowering time (days), and small rosette diameter of light-grown del1. No significant differences were observed between det1 ddb1a and det1 ddb1a ddb2 in rescue diameter, dark by ocotyl length, and anthocyanin content, suggesting that these are DDB1A-dependent phenotypes. In contrast, del1 ddb1a ddb2 showed higher chlorophyll content and later flowering time than del1 ddb1a, indicating that these are DDB1A-independent phenotypes. We propose that the DDB1A-dependent phenotypes indicate a competition between DDB2- and DET1-containing complexes for available DDB1A, while, for DDB1A-independent phenotypes, DDB1B is able to fulfill this role.