Plant AFC2 kinase desensitizes thermomorphogenesis through modulation of alternative splicing

Abstract

mutants exhibited more exaggerated high ambient temperature responses in a PIF4-dependent manner. AFC2 directly phosphorylated the serine/arginine-rich protein splicing factor RSZ21, and AFC2 kinase activity decreased with increasing temperature, indicating that the AFC2 itself may sense temperature changes. In summary, we report that alternative splicing is a safe-guard mechanism when plants encounter high temperature.