Prof. Dr. Ute Höcker

Research in our lab focuses on the role of protein degradation in light-controlled development of Arabidopsis thaliana. To this end, we are studying the function of photoreceptors and the COP1/SPA ubiquitin ligase throughout growth and development, including seedling deetiolation, anthocyanin accumulation and photoperiodic regulation of flowering time. Our evolutionary investigations include the charophyte alga Mesotaenium endlicherianum and the moss Physcomitium patens. Within CEPLAS, we are interested in transcription factors that induce the differentiation of chloroplasts. By unraveling the regulatory networks governing chloroplast biogenesis, we aim to deepen our understanding of plant adaptation to varying environmental conditions.

1. Kreiss M, Haas FB, Hansen M, Rensing SA, Hoecker U (2023) Co-action of COP1, SPA and cryptochrome in light signal transduction and photomorphogenesis of the moss Physcomitrium patens. Plant J. doi: 10.1111/tpj.16128.
2. Hwang Y, Han S, Yoo CY, Hong L, You C, Le BH, Shi H, Zhong S, Hoecker U, Chen X, Chen M (2022) Anterograde signaling controls plastid transcription via sigma factors separately from nuclear photosynthesis genes. Nat Commun 13(1):7440. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-35080-0.
3. Kerner K, Nagano S, Lubbe A, Hoecker U (2021) Functional comparison of the WD-repeat domains of SPA1 and COP1 in suppression of photomorphogenesis. Plant Cell Environ. doi: 10.1111/pce.14148.
4. Schenk T, Trimborn L, Chen S, Schenkel C, Hoecker U (2021) Light-induced degradation of SPA2 via its N-terminal kinase domain is required for photomorphogenesis. Plant Physiol. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiab156.
5. Ponnu J, Riedel T, Penner E, Schrader A, Hoecker U (2019) Cryptochrome 2 competes with COP1 substrates to repress COP1 ubiquitin ligase activity during Arabidopsis photomorphogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1909181116.