A receptor–kinase cascade confers cold-induced root growth inhibition in Arabidopsis

Abstract

Cold stress restricts root growth by disrupting stem cell activity in plants. C-REPEAT BINDING FACTORs (CBFs) are central regulators of cold signalling and also modulate root stem cell activity. While the receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase CRPK1 promotes CBF destabilization under cold stress, its regulatory partner remains unclear. Here we identify KINASE ON THE INSIDE (KOIN), a plasma-membrane-localized receptor-like kinase, as a crucial interactor of CRPK1. The loss of either KOIN or CRPK1 results in cold-insensitive root phenotypes, characterized by sustained primary root elongation and enhanced cortex cell proliferation via the 14-3-3–CBF3–SHR pathway. Under cold stress, KOIN undergoes endocytosis and is recycled back to the plasma membrane in a CRPK1-dependent manner. Although catalytically inactive, KOIN modulates CRPK1 protein levels and phosphorylation through a non-catalytic mechanism. These findings uncover a membrane-to-nucleus signalling module that integrates receptor trafficking with intracellular kinase activity to mediate cold-induced root growth inhibition in Arabidopsis.