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Data from: Conservation and divergence within the Arabidopsis TPL/TPR corepressor family

Downing, Benjamin1; Pattichis, Maria2; Vaistij, Fabian2; Farawila, Mohamed1; Ghannam, Edward1; Denby, Katherine2; Nguyen, Linda1; Leydon, Alexander1; Nemhasuer, Jennifer1

Published Jun 10, 2026; Updated Aug 10, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2rbnzs84g

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Jun 10, 2026 version files 87.49 MB
Aug 10, 2026 version files 103.77 MB

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Abstract

The TOPLESS (TPL) and TOPLESS-RELATED (TPR1–TPR4) corepressors, collectively the TPX family, are recruited by EAR-motif transcription factors to regulate nearly every major plant regulatory program. Mild single-mutant phenotypes long suggested redundancy among paralogs, but immunity studies hint at functional divergence. Here we combine higher-order genetics, transcriptomics, and a synthetic auxin response system in yeast to dissect conservation and divergence within the Arabidopsis TPX family. We find asymmetric redundancy: TPL, TPR1, and TPR4 dominate auxin-regulated development and repress TPR2/TPR3, which govern distinct immune-responsive genes; their loss causes auxin hypersensitivity, ectopic root hairs, accelerated lateral root initiation, and floral homeotic defects. We trace these differences to natural variation in the EAR-binding pocket: TPR2/TPR3 retain intrinsic repression but recruit Aux/IAA clients less efficiently, and EAR-containing pathogen effectors like HaRxL21 competitively displace Aux/IAAs with varying affinity. Together, TPX functions as a stratified corepressor system balancing developmental robustness against responsiveness during transitions.