Gibberellin perception and DELLA derepression (GID1-DELLA-SCF(SLY1) module)

Gibberellin (GA) signaling in vascular plants works by de-repression. In the absence of GA, nuclear DELLA proteins (GRAS-family transcriptional regulators without a DNA-binding domain) restrain growth in part by binding and inactivating growth-promoting transcription factors such as the bHLH PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORS (PIF3, PIF4). Bioactive GA (mainly GA4 and GA1) binds the soluble receptor GID1, a non-catalytic member of the hormone-sensitive-lipase alpha/beta-hydrolase family, in a deep pocket that is then capped by the receptor's N-terminal lid. The lid creates a surface that captures the N-terminal DELLA domain (DELLA, VHYNP and LExLE motifs), forming a GA-GID1-DELLA complex in which the DELLA GRAS domain is also contacted by the receptor. The DELLA GRAS domain in this complex is bound with higher affinity by the F-box protein SLEEPY1 (SLY1; GID2 in rice), the substrate adaptor of an SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase (SLY1-ASK1/ASK2-CUL1-RBX1). SCF(SLY1) polyubiquitinates the DELLA, which is then degraded by the 26S proteasome, releasing PIFs and other DELLA-sequestered regulators to drive growth programs such as hypocotyl and stem elongation, seed germination and floral development. GA-GID1 binding also inhibits DELLA activity without proteolysis, apparently by occluding DELLA surfaces needed for partner binding. In Arabidopsis the receptor step is carried out redundantly by GID1A, GID1B and GID1C, and the DELLA step by five paralogs (GAI and RGA, which dominate vegetative growth, and RGL1, RGL2 and RGL3, which act mainly in germination and flower development). Gibberellin biosynthesis and catabolism, which set the GA level, and transcriptional feedback of DELLAs on GA metabolism and receptor genes, are outside this module.

MODULE:gibberellin_della_signalingDRAFTABSTRACTSignaling Pathwaymodules/gibberellin_della_signaling.yaml
gibberellin mediated signaling pathwayGO:0010476
GO:0010476
gibberellin mediated signaling pathway
The module is grounded in the GO biological process term for gibberellin-mediated signaling.
PMID:16709201
Identification and characterization of Arabidopsis gibberellin receptors.
All three Arabidopsis GID1 proteins bind GA and interact with DELLAs only in the presence of GA.
A two-hybrid yeast system only showed in vivo interaction in the presence of GA(4) between each AtGID1 and the Arabidopsis DELLA proteins (AtDELLAs), negative regulators of GA signaling
PMID:19037309
Gibberellin-induced DELLA recognition by the gibberellin receptor GID1.
Structural basis of GA perception and DELLA-domain capture by GID1A.
GID1A occludes gibberellin in a deep binding pocket covered by its N-terminal helical switch region, which in turn interacts with the DELLA domain containing DELLA, VHYNP and LExLE motifs
PMID:17194763
Genetic characterization and functional analysis of the GID1 gibberellin receptors in Arabidopsis.
GA-GID1 promotes the DELLA-SLY1 interaction that leads to DELLA degradation.
the GA-GID1 complex promotes the interaction between RGA and the F-box protein SLY1
PMID:15161962
The Arabidopsis mutant sleepy1gar2-1 protein promotes plant growth by increasing the affinity of the SCFSLY1 E3 ubiquitin ligase for DELLA protein substrates.
SLY1 is the substrate-specificity subunit of an SCF complex containing ASK1/2 and CUL1.
SLY1 is a subunit of an Arabidopsis SCF SLY1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that contains the highly conserved ASK1/2 and AtCUL1 subunits
PMID:40768360
Structural insights into proteolysis-dependent and -independent suppression of the master regulator DELLA by the gibberellin receptor.
Cryo-EM structures of GA3-GID1A-RGA and GA3-GID1A-RGA-SLY1-ASK1 explain SCF recruitment and proteolysis-independent DELLA inhibition.
GID1 binding to the RGA GRAS domain blocks its interactions with INDETERMINATE DOMAIN (IDD) transcription factors
PMID:24821766
DELLA protein functions as a transcriptional activator through the DNA binding of the indeterminate domain family proteins.
DELLAs act as transcriptional coregulators, using IDD transcription factors as DNA-binding scaffolds.
the coregulators DELLA and SCL3, using IDDs as transcriptional scaffolds for DNA binding, antagonistically regulate the expression of their downstream targets
PMID:22820377
Brassinosteroid, gibberellin and phytochrome impinge on a common transcription module in Arabidopsis.
The DELLA RGA binds BZR1 and inhibits its DNA binding and transcriptional activity.
RGA specifically interacts with BZR1 to inhibit its abilities to bind DNA and regulate transcription
PMID:18216856
Coordinated regulation of Arabidopsis thaliana development by light and gibberellins.
DELLAs sequester PIF3 from its target promoters; GA-triggered DELLA degradation releases PIF3.
In the presence of GA, GID1 proteins (GA receptors) elevate their direct interaction with DELLA proteins in the nucleus, trigger DELLA protein's ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation, and thus release PIF3 from the negative effect of DELLA proteins
PMID:18827182
Proteolysis-independent downregulation of DELLA repression in Arabidopsis by the gibberellin receptor GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF1.
GA-GID1 can inhibit DELLA without SLY1-dependent proteolysis.
GA-bound GID1 can block DELLA repressor activity by direct protein-protein interaction with the DELLA domain
PMID:17521411
Multiple loss-of-function of Arabidopsis gibberellin receptor AtGID1s completely shuts down a gibberellin signal.
The three GID1 receptors are jointly required for all GA responses.
the triple knockout seedlings completely lost their ability to respond to exogenously applied GA

Arabidopsis proteins are used as representative members; the GID1-DELLA-SLY1/GID2 module is conserved in vascular plants (rice has single GID1 and GID2 genes). Family descriptors for GID1 and DELLA carry no PANTHER family id: the GID1 receptors sit in three separate subfamilies of PTHR23024 (named ARYLACETAMIDE DEACETYLASE, a mostly catalytic esterase family) and the DELLA PANTHER family PTHR31636 has an uninformative name, so neither family id faithfully represents the role. PIF3 and PIF4 share PTHR46807. The SCF core subunits ASK1/ASK2, CUL1 and RBX1 are shared with many other SCF ligases and are described rather than modeled as separate annotons. RGL1, RGL2 and RGL3 are named in the description as context; GAI and RGA are the representative DELLAs. No production GO-CAM in gocams/index.tsv contains these Arabidopsis proteins (checked 2026-10-05). GO has no "gibberellin receptor activity" term; the receptor annoton uses gibberellin binding (GO:0010331), matching the GID1A/GID1B/GID1C reviews, which propose the missing term.

5Nodes
4Parts
0Variant Sets
0Variants
4Annotons
4Connections

Derived QC

Recommended-field compliance

100.0% recommended fields populated

All recommended fields populated.

Module deep research

✗ none found

No MODULE:gibberellin_della_signaling deep-research report alongside the module YAML.

Leaf nodes lacking representative members

✓ representative grounding skipped for abstract module.

Template conformance

✓ every declared conforms_to bundle matches its template motif.

Function consistency and core coverage

8 gene-function check(s) reflected in core functions · 0 conflict(s) · 3 evidence or coverage gap(s) (11 comparison(s))

Retained noncore functions are reported separately; they do not require promotion to core functions. Support from representative genes does not establish conservation across the whole family. Missing reviews or identifiers leave a claim unverified.

AnnotonParticipantFunctionAssessment
gid1_gibberellin_receptor GID1A (Arabidopsis; major receptor)
UniProtKB:Q9MAA7
Family Representative 		gibberellin binding
GO:0010331 		Core Supported
The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
gid1_gibberellin_receptor GID1B (Arabidopsis; high GA4 affinity, GID1b clade)
UniProtKB:Q9LYC1
Family Representative 		gibberellin binding
GO:0010331 		Core Supported
The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
gid1_gibberellin_receptor GID1C (Arabidopsis; GID1ac clade with GID1A)
UniProtKB:Q940G6
Family Representative 		gibberellin binding
GO:0010331 		Core Supported
The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
della_receiver GAI (Arabidopsis)
UniProtKB:Q9LQT8
Family Representative 		transcription coregulator activity
GO:0003712 		Core Supported
The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
della_receiver RGA (Arabidopsis)
UniProtKB:Q9SLH3
Family Representative 		transcription coregulator activity
GO:0003712 		Core Supported
The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
sly1_scf_substrate_adaptor SLY1 (SLEEPY1; Arabidopsis ortholog of rice GID2)
UniProtKB:Q9STX3
Gene 		ubiquitin-like ligase-substrate adaptor activity
GO:1990756 		Core Supported
The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
pif_transcription_factor PIF3 (Arabidopsis)
UniProtKB:O80536
Family Representative 		DNA-binding transcription factor activity
GO:0003700 		Core Supported
The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
pif_transcription_factor PIF4 (Arabidopsis)
UniProtKB:Q8W2F3
Family Representative 		DNA-binding transcription factor activity
GO:0003700 		Core Supported
The GO molecular function is reflected in core_functions (exact term or a reviewed subclass).
gid1_gibberellin_receptor GID1 gibberellin receptor family (non-catalytic hormone-sensitive-lipase fold)
Family 		gibberellin binding
GO:0010331 		Family Id Missing
The family has no identifier linking it to a curated family review.
della_receiver DELLA subfamily of GRAS transcriptional regulators
Family 		transcription coregulator activity
GO:0003712 		Family Id Missing
The family has no identifier linking it to a curated family review.
pif_transcription_factor PIF3/PIF4 bHLH transcription factors
PANTHER:PTHR46807
Family 		DNA-binding transcription factor activity
GO:0003700 		Family Review Missing
No supported structured family review is available for PANTHER:PTHR46807.

Gene-review completeness (8/8 grounded genes reviewed)

8 complete review(s) · 8 with deep research · 0 missing review · 0 reviewed but lacking deep research

Gene Review Complete Deep research
GAI Q9LQT8 ✓ ✓ ✓
GID1A Q9MAA7 ✓ ✓ ✓
GID1B Q9LYC1 ✓ ✓ ✓
GID1C Q940G6 ✓ ✓ ✓
PIF3 O80536 ✓ ✓ ✓
PIF4 Q8W2F3 ✓ ✓ ✓
RGA Q9SLH3 ✓ ✓ ✓
SLY1 Q9STX3 ✓ ✓ ✓

Details

Context
vascular plantsNCBITaxon:58023
nucleusGO:0005634
Gibberellin perception and DELLA derepressionSignaling Pathwaygibberellin_della_signaling
gibberellin mediated signaling pathwayGO:0010476
Context
vascular plantsNCBITaxon:58023
nucleusGO:0005634

Connections

GA-bound GID1 captures the DELLA domain, forming the GA-GID1-DELLA complex.
della_recognition -> della_degradation Provides Input For
The GID1-bound DELLA is the substrate recognized by SLY1 and ubiquitinated by SCF(SLY1).
della_degradation -> pif_growth_output Positively Regulates
Proteasomal removal of DELLA releases PIFs to bind promoters (derepression).
della_recognition -> pif_growth_output Positively Regulates
Proteolysis-independent route - GA-GID1 binding occludes DELLA surfaces needed for partner binding, relieving DELLA inhibition without degradation. The positive sign refers to the GA-GID1 recognition step as a whole; the DELLA coregulator activity in that step, taken alone, negatively regulates PIF output, and it is the GA-GID1 capture of DELLA that relieves this repression.
Part 1: gibberellin perception
GA binding by GID1 receptorsRegulatory Stepga_perception

Bioactive GA binds the soluble GID1 receptor; closure of the N-terminal lid over the hormone creates the DELLA-binding surface. Arabidopsis has three partially redundant receptors that differ in expression and affinity (GID1B has the highest GA4 affinity; GID1C binds RGL2 weakly).

Annotons

GID1 gibberellin receptor
gid1_gibberellin_receptor
Participant: Family: GID1 gibberellin receptor family (non-catalytic hormone-sensitive-lipase fold)
Family:
GID1 gibberellin receptor family (non-catalytic hormone-sensitive-lipase fold)
Representative Members: GID1A (Arabidopsis; major receptor)UniProtKB:Q9MAA7 GID1B (Arabidopsis; high GA4 affinity, GID1b clade)UniProtKB:Q9LYC1 GID1C (Arabidopsis; GID1ac clade with GID1A)UniProtKB:Q940G6

Function

gibberellin bindingGO:0010331

Locations

nucleusGO:0005634

Binds bioactive GA and, as a result, captures the DELLA domain of DELLA proteins.

Part 2: GA-GID1-DELLA complex formation
DELLA capture by GA-GID1Regulatory Stepdella_recognition

The DELLA domain of a DELLA protein binds the lid of GA-bound GID1 and also bridges to the GRAS domain, which contacts GID1 directly. Complex formation both primes the DELLA for SCF(SLY1) recognition and blocks DELLA interaction with transcription-factor partners (proteolysis-independent inhibition).

Annotons

DELLA protein (GA-GID1 receiver and SCF substrate)
della_receiver
Participant: Family: DELLA subfamily of GRAS transcriptional regulators
Family:
DELLA subfamily of GRAS transcriptional regulators
Representative Members: GAI (Arabidopsis)UniProtKB:Q9LQT8 RGA (Arabidopsis)UniProtKB:Q9SLH3

Function

transcription coregulator activityGO:0003712

Locations

nucleusGO:0005634

Nuclear transcriptional coregulator whose N-terminal DELLA domain is captured by GA-GID1; this converts the DELLA into a substrate for SCF(SLY1) and inhibits its coregulator function.

Part 3: DELLA ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation
SCF(SLY1)-mediated DELLA ubiquitination and degradationRegulatory Stepdella_degradation

The F-box protein SLY1 binds the GRAS domain of GID1-bound DELLA and, through ASK1/ASK2, CUL1 and RBX1, directs its polyubiquitination; the DELLA is then degraded by the 26S proteasome.

Annotons

SLY1 F-box substrate adaptor of SCF(SLY1)
sly1_scf_substrate_adaptor
Participant: Gene Product: SLY1 (SLEEPY1; Arabidopsis ortholog of rice GID2)
Gene Product:
SLY1 (SLEEPY1; Arabidopsis ortholog of rice GID2)UniProtKB:Q9STX3

Function

ubiquitin-like ligase-substrate adaptor activityGO:1990756

Processes

SCF-dependent proteasomal ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic processGO:0031146

Locations

nucleusGO:0005634

Recruits GA-GID1-bound DELLA proteins to the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase for polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.

Part 4: release of DELLA-sequestered growth transcription factors
PIF-driven growth transcriptionRegulatory Steppif_growth_output

DELLAs bind the DNA-binding bHLH domain of PIF3/PIF4 and prevent promoter binding. Removal or inhibition of DELLAs frees PIFs to activate growth-promoting genes, integrating GA with light and temperature signaling. PIFs are one representative class of DELLA-regulated transcription factors.

Annotons

PIF bHLH transcription factor
pif_transcription_factor
Participant: Family: PIF3/PIF4 bHLH transcription factors
Family:
PIF3/PIF4 bHLH transcription factorsPANTHER:PTHR46807
Representative Members: PIF3 (Arabidopsis)UniProtKB:O80536 PIF4 (Arabidopsis)UniProtKB:Q8W2F3

Function

DNA-binding transcription factor activityGO:0003700

Locations

nucleusGO:0005634

Growth-promoting transcription factor whose DNA binding is inhibited by DELLA and restored when GA signaling removes DELLA.