Light-regulated modification and nuclear translocation of cytosolic G-box binding factors in parsley

Calmodulin7: recent insights into emerging roles in plant development and stress

Analyses of the function of Arabidopsis Calmodulin7 (CAM7) in concert with multiple regulatory proteins involved in various signal transduction processes. Calmodulin (CaM) plays various regulatory roles in multiple signaling pathways in eukaryotes. Arabidopsis CALMODULIN 7 (CAM7) is a unique member of the CAM family that works as a transcription factor in light signaling pathways. CAM7 works in concert with CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 and ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5, and plays an important role in seedling development. Further, it is involved in the regulation of the activity of various Ca²⁺-gated channels such as cyclic nucleotide gated channel 6 (CNGC6), CNGC14 and auto-inhibited Ca²⁺ ATPase 8. Recent studies further indicate that CAM7 is also an integral part of multiple signaling pathways including hormone, immunity and stress. Here, we review the recent advances in understanding the multifaceted role of CAM7. We highlight the open-ended questions, and also discuss the diverse aspects of CAM7 characterization that need to be addressed for comprehensive understanding of its cellular functions.

The gene expression profiles of mitochondrial respiratory components in Arabidopsis plants with differing amounts of ALTERNATIVE OXIDASE1a under high intensity light

We compared the expression of mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) and other non-phosphorylating respiratory components (NPhPs) in wild type and AOX1a transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana following short-term transfer of plants to higher irradiance conditions to gain more insight into the mechanisms of AOX functioning under light. The AOX1a overexpressing line (XX-2) showed the highest amount of AOX1a transcripts and AOX1A synthesis during the entire experiment, and many NPhPs genes were down-regulated after 6-8 h under the higher light conditions. Antisense AS-12 plants displayed a compensatory effect, typically after 8 h of exposure to higher irradiance, by up-regulating their expression of the majority of genes encoding AOX and other respiratory components. In addition, AS-12 plants displayed 'overcompensation effects' prior to their transfer to high light conditions, i.e., they showed a higher expression level of certain genes. As a result, the ROS content in AS-12, as in XX-2, was consistently lower than in the wild type. All NPhPs genes share, in common with AOX1a, light- and stress-related cis-acting regulatory elements (CAREs) in their promoters. However, the expression of respiratory genes does not always depend on the level of AOX1a expression. This suggests the presence of multiple combinations of signaling pathways in gene induction. Based on our results, we outline possible directions for future research.

Endogenous ABA alleviates rice ammonium toxicity by reducing ROS and free ammonium via regulation of the SAPK9-bZIP20 pathway

Ammonium (NH4+) is one of the principal nitrogen (N) sources in soils, but is typically toxic already at intermediate concentrations. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a pivotal role in responses to environmental stresses. However, the role of ABA under high-NH4+ stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is only marginally understood. Here, we report that elevated NH4+ can significantly accelerate tissue ABA accumulation. Mutants with high (Osaba8ox) and low levels of ABA (Osphs3-1) exhibit elevated tolerance or sensitivity to high-NH4+ stress, respectively. Furthermore, ABA can decrease NH4+-induced oxidative damage and tissue NH4+ accumulation by enhancing antioxidant and glutamine synthetase (GS)/glutamate synthetasae (GOGAT) enzyme activities. Using RNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR approaches, we ascertain that two genes, OsSAPK9 and OsbZIP20, are induced both by high NH4+ and by ABA. Our data indicate that OsSAPK9 interacts with OsbZIP20, and can phosphorylate OsbZIP20 and activate its function. When OsSAPK9 or OsbZIP20 are knocked out in rice, ABA-mediated antioxidant and GS/GOGAT activity enhancement under high-NH4+ stress disappear, and the two mutants are more sensitive to high-NH4+ stress compared with their wild types. Taken together, our results suggest that ABA plays a positive role in regulating the OsSAPK9-OsbZIP20 pathway in rice to increase tolerance to high-NH4+ stress.

Identification of target genes and transcription factors implicated in translation-dependent retrograde signaling in Arabidopsis

Changes in organellar gene expression (OGE) trigger retrograde signaling. The molecular dissection of OGE-dependent retrograde signaling based on analyses of mutants with altered OGE is complicated by compensatory responses that mask the primary signaling defect and by secondary effects that influence other retrograde signaling pathways. Therefore, to identify the earliest effects of altered OGE on nuclear transcript accumulation, we have induced OGE defects in adult plants by ethanol-dependent repression of PRORS1, which encodes a prolyl-tRNA synthetase located in chloroplasts and mitochondria. After 32h of PRORS1 repression, the translational capacity of chloroplasts was reduced, and this effect subsequently intensified, while basic photosynthetic parameters were still unchanged at 51h. Analysis of changes in whole-genome transcriptomes during exposure to ethanol revealed that induced PRORS1 silencing affects the expression of 1020 genes in all. Some of these encode photosynthesis-related proteins, including several down-regulated light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding (LHC) proteins. Interestingly, genes for presumptive endoplasmic reticulum proteins are transiently up-regulated. Furthermore, several NAC-domain-containing proteins are among the transcription factors regulated. Candidate cis-acting elements which may coordinate the transcriptional co-regulation of genes sets include both G-box variants and sequence motifs with no similarity to known plant cis-elements.

Expression of a truncated ATHB17 protein in maize increases ear weight at silking

ATHB17 (AT2G01430) is an Arabidopsis gene encoding a member of the α-subclass of the homeodomain leucine zipper class II (HD-Zip II) family of transcription factors. The ATHB17 monomer contains four domains common to all class II HD-Zip proteins: a putative repression domain adjacent to a homeodomain, leucine zipper, and carboxy terminal domain. However, it also possesses a unique N-terminus not present in other members of the family. In this study we demonstrate that the unique 73 amino acid N-terminus is involved in regulation of cellular localization of ATHB17. The ATHB17 protein is shown to function as a transcriptional repressor and an EAR-like motif is identified within the putative repression domain of ATHB17. Transformation of maize with an ATHB17 expression construct leads to the expression of ATHB17Δ113, a truncated protein lacking the first 113 amino acids which encodes a significant portion of the repression domain. Because ATHB17Δ113 lacks the repression domain, the protein cannot directly affect the transcription of its target genes. ATHB17Δ113 can homodimerize, form heterodimers with maize endogenous HD-Zip II proteins, and bind to target DNA sequences; thus, ATHB17Δ113 may interfere with HD-Zip II mediated transcriptional activity via a dominant negative mechanism. We provide evidence that maize HD-Zip II proteins function as transcriptional repressors and that ATHB17Δ113 relieves this HD-Zip II mediated transcriptional repression activity. Expression of ATHB17Δ113 in maize leads to increased ear size at silking and, therefore, may enhance sink potential. We hypothesize that this phenotype could be a result of modulation of endogenous HD-Zip II pathways in maize.

Molecular interactions of GBF1 with HY5 and HYH proteins during light-mediated seedling development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis bZIP transcription factor, GBF1, acts as a differential regulator of cryptochrome-mediated blue light signaling. Whereas the bZIP proteins, HY5 (elongated hypocotyl 5) and HYH (HY5 homologue), are degraded by COP1-mediated proteasomal pathways, GBF1 is degraded by a proteasomal pathway independent of COP1. In this study, we have investigated the functional interrelations of GBF1 with HY5 and HYH in Arabidopsis seedling development. The genetic studies using double and triple mutants reveal that GBF1 largely acts antagonistically with HY5 and HYH in Arabidopsis seedling development. Further, GBF1 and HY5 play more important roles than HYH in blue light-mediated photomorphogenic growth. This study reveals that GBF1 is able to form a G-box-binding heterodimer with HY5 but not with HYH. The in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that GBF1 co-localizes with HY5 or HYH in the nucleus and physically interacts with both of the proteins. The protein-protein interaction studies further reveal that the bZIP domain of GBF1 is essential and sufficient for the interaction with HY5 or HYH. Taken together, these data demonstrate the functional interrelations of GBF1 with HY5 and HYH in Arabidopsis seedling development.

DPI-ELISA: a fast and versatile method to specify the binding of plant transcription factors to DNA in vitro

BACKGROUND

About 10% of all genes in eukaryote genomes are predicted to encode transcription factors. The specific binding of transcription factors to short DNA-motifs influences the expression of neighbouring genes. However, little is known about the DNA-protein interaction itself. To date there are only a few suitable methods to characterise DNA-protein-interactions, among which the EMSA is the method most frequently used in laboratories. Besides EMSA, several protocols describe the effective use of an ELISA-based transcription factor binding assay e.g. for the analysis of human NFκB binding to specific DNA sequences.

RESULTS

We provide a unified protocol for this type of ELISA analysis, termed DNA-Protein-Interaction (DPI)-ELISA. Qualitative analyses with His-epitope tagged plant transcription factors expressed in E. coli revealed that EMSA and DPI-ELISA result in comparable and reproducible data. The binding of AtbZIP63 to the C-box and AtWRKY11 to the W2-box could be reproduced and validated by both methods. We next examined the physical binding of the C-terminal DNA-binding domains of AtWRKY33, AtWRKY50 and AtWRKY75 to the W2-box. Although the DNA-binding domain is highly conserved among the WRKY proteins tested, the use of the DPI-ELISA discloses differences in W2-box binding properties between these proteins. In addition to these well-studied transcription factor families, we applied our protocol to AtBPC2, a member of the so far uncharacterised plant specific Basic Pentacysteine transcription factor family. We could demonstrate binding to GA/TC-dinucleotide repeat motifs by our DPI-ELISA protocol. Different buffers and reaction conditions were examined.

CONCLUSIONS

We successfully applied our DPI-ELISA protocol to investigate the DNA-binding specificities of three different classes of transcription factors from Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the analysis of the binding affinity of any DNA-binding protein to any given DNA sequence can be performed via this method. The DPI-ELISA is cost efficient, less time-consuming than other methods and provides a qualitative and quantitative readout. The presented DPI-ELISA protocol is accompanied by advice on trouble-shooting, which will enable scientists to rapidly establish this versatile and easy to use method in their laboratories.

G-Box binding factor1 reduces CATALASE2 expression and regulates the onset of leaf senescence in Arabidopsis

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is discussed as being a signaling molecule in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf senescence. Intracellular H(2)O(2) levels are controlled by the H(2)O(2)-scavenging enzyme catalase in concert with other scavenging and producing systems. Catalases are encoded by a small gene family, and the expression of all three Arabidopsis catalase genes is regulated in a senescence-associated manner. CATALASE2 (CAT2) expression is down-regulated during bolting time at the onset of leaf senescence and appears to be involved in the elevation of the H(2)O(2) level at this time point. To understand the role of CAT2 in senescence regulation in more detail, we used CAT2 promoter fragments in a yeast one-hybrid screen to isolate upstream regulatory factors. Among others, we could identify G-Box Binding Factor1 (GBF1) as a DNA-binding protein of the CAT2 promoter. Transient overexpression of GBF1 together with a CAT2:beta-glucuronidase construct in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) plants and Arabidopsis protoplasts revealed a negative effect of GBF1 on CAT2 expression. In gbf1 mutant plants, the CAT2 decrease in expression and activity at bolting time and the increase in H(2)O(2) could no longer be observed. Consequently, the onset of leaf senescence and the expression of senescence-associated genes were delayed in gbf1 plants, clearly indicating a regulatory function of GBF1 in leaf senescence, most likely via regulation of the intracellular H(2)O(2) content.

Calcium-regulated transcription in plants

The past two decades revealed a plethora of Ca2+-responsive proteins and downstream targets in plants, of which several are unique to plants. More recent high-throughput 'omics' approaches and bioinformatics are exposing Ca2+-responsive cis-elements and the corresponding Ca2+-responsive genes. Here, we review the current knowledge on Ca2+-signaling pathways that regulate gene expression in plants, and we link these to mechanisms by which plants respond to biotic and abiotic stresses.

The arabidopsis bZIP1 transcription factor is involved in sugar signaling, protein networking, and DNA binding

Sugar signaling is a mechanism that plants use to integrate various internal and external cues to achieve nutrient homeostasis, mediate developmental programs, and articulate stress responses. Many bZIP transcription factors are known to be involved in nutrient and/or stress signaling. An Arabidopsis S1-group bZIP gene, AtbZIP1, was identified as a sugar-sensitive gene in a previous gene expression profiling study (Plant Cell. 16, 2128-2150). In this report, we show that the expression of AtbZIP1 is repressed by sugars in a fast, sensitive, and reversible way. The sugar repression of AtbZIP1 is affected by a conserved sugar signaling component, hexokinase. Besides being a sugar-regulated gene, AtbZIP1 can mediate sugar signaling and affect gene expression, plant growth, and development. When carbon nutrients are limited, gain or loss of function of AtbZIP1 causes changes in the rates of early seedling establishment. Results of phenotypic analyses indicate that AtbZIP1 acts as a negative regulator of early seedling growth. Using gain- and loss-of-function plants in a microarray analysis, two sets of putative AtbZIP1-regulated genes have been identified. Among them, sugar-responsive genes are highly over-represented, implicating a role of AtbZIP1 in sugar-mediated gene expression. Using yeast two-hybrid (Y-2-H) screens and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analyses, we are able to recapitulate extensive C/S1 AtbZIP protein interacting network in living cells. Finally, we show that AtbZIP1 can bind ACGT-based motifs in vitro and that the binding characteristics appear to be affected by the heterodimerization between AtbZIP1 and the C-group AtbZIPs, including AtbZIP10 and AtbZIP63.

Hormone- and light-regulated nucleocytoplasmic transport in plants: current status

The gene regulation mechanisms underlying hormone- and light-induced signal transduction in plants rely not only on post-translational modification and protein degradation, but also on selective inclusion and exclusion of proteins from the nucleus. For example, plant cells treated with light or hormones actively transport many signalling regulatory proteins, transcription factors, and even photoreceptors and hormone receptors into the nucleus, while actively excluding other proteins. The nuclear envelope (NE) is the physical and functional barrier that mediates this selective partitioning, and nuclear transport regulators transduce hormone- or light-initiated signalling pathways across the membrane to mediate nuclear activities. Recent reports revealed that mutating the proteins regulating nuclear transport through the pores, such as nucleoporins, alters the plant's response to a stimulus. In this review, recent works are introduced that have revealed the importance of regulated nucleocytoplasmic partitioning. These important findings deepen our understanding about how co-ordinated plant hormone and light signal transduction pathways facilitate communication between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The roles of nucleoporin components within the nuclear pore complex (NPC) are also emphasized, as well as nuclear transport cargo, such as Ran/TC4 and its binding proteins (RanBPs), in this process. Recent findings concerning these proteins may provide a possible direction by which to characterize the regulatory potential of hormone- or light-triggered nuclear transport.

Light-regulated transcriptional networks in higher plants

Plants have evolved complex and sophisticated transcriptional networks that mediate developmental changes in response to light. These light-regulated processes include seedling photomorphogenesis, seed germination and the shade-avoidance and photoperiod responses. Understanding the components and hierarchical structure of the transcriptional networks that are activated during these processes has long been of great interest to plant scientists. Traditional genetic and molecular approaches have proved powerful in identifying key regulatory factors and their positions within these networks. Recent genomic studies have further revealed that light induces massive reprogramming of the plant transcriptome, and that the early light-responsive genes are enriched in transcription factors. These combined approaches provide new insights into light-regulated transcriptional networks.

Functional cross-talk between two-component and phytochrome B signal transduction in Arabidopsis

The A-type response regulator ARR4 is an element in the two-component signalling network of Arabidopsis. ARR4 interacts with the N-terminus of the red/far-red light photoreceptor phytochrome B (phyB) and functions as a modulator of photomorphogenesis. In concert with other A-type response regulators, ARR4 also participates in the modulation of the cytokinin response pathway. Here evidence is presented that ARR4 directly modulates the activity state of phyB in planta, not only under inductive but also under extended irradiation with red light. Mutation of the phosphorylatable aspartate to asparagine within the receiver domain creates a version of ARR4 that negatively affects photomorphogenesis. Additional evidence suggests that ARR4 activity is regulated by a phosphorelay mechanism that depends on the AHK family of cytokinin receptors. Accordingly, the ability of ARR4 to function on phyB is modified by exogenous application of cytokinin. These results implicate a cross-talk between cytokinin and light signalling mediated by ARR4. This cross-talk enables the plant to adjust light reponsiveness to endogenous requirements in growth and development.

Systematic analysis of Arabidopsis organelles and a protein localization database for facilitating fluorescent tagging of full-length Arabidopsis proteins

Cells are organized into a complex network of subcellular compartments that are specialized for various biological functions. Subcellular location is an important attribute of protein function. To facilitate systematic elucidation of protein subcellular location, we analyzed experimentally verified protein localization data of 1,300 Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) proteins. The 1,300 experimentally verified proteins are distributed among 40 different compartments, with most of the proteins localized to four compartments: mitochondria (36%), nucleus (28%), plastid (17%), and cytosol (13.3%). About 19% of the proteins are found in multiple compartments, in which a high proportion (36.4%) is localized to both cytosol and nucleus. Characterization of the overrepresented Gene Ontology molecular functions and biological processes suggests that the Golgi apparatus and peroxisome may play more diverse functions but are involved in more specialized processes than other compartments. To support systematic empirical determination of protein subcellular localization using a technology called fluorescent tagging of full-length proteins, we developed a database and Web application to provide preselected green fluorescent protein insertion position and primer sequences for all Arabidopsis proteins to study their subcellular localization and to store experimentally verified protein localization images, videos, and their annotations of proteins generated using the fluorescent tagging of full-length proteins technology. The database can be searched, browsed, and downloaded using a Web browser at http://aztec.stanford.edu/gfp/. The software can also be downloaded from the same Web site for local installation.

Isolation and functional characterisation of two new bZIP maize regulators of the ABA responsive gene rab28

The plant hormone abscisic acid regulates gene expression in response to growth stimuli and abiotic stress. Previous studies have implicated members of the bZIP family of transcription factors as mediators of abscisic acid dependent gene expression through the ABRE cis-element. Here, we identify two new maize bZIP transcription factors, EmBP-2 and ZmBZ-1 related to EmBP-1 and OsBZ-8 families. They are differentially expressed during embryo development; EmBP-2 is constitutive, whereas ZmBZ-1 is abscisic acid-inducible and accumulates during late embryogenesis. Both factors are nuclear proteins that bind to ABREs and activate transcription of the abscisic acid-inducible gene rab28 from maize. EmBP-2 and ZmBZ-1 are phosphorylated by protein kinase CK2 and phosphorylation alters their DNA binding properties. Our data suggest that EmBP-2 and ZmBZ-1 are involved in the expression of abscisic acid inducible genes such as rab28 and their activity is modulated by ABA and by phosphorylation.

Transcriptional regulation by abscisic acid in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds involves autoregulation of the transcription factor HvABI5

The barley bZIP transcription factor HvABI5 mediates abscisic acid (ABA)-upregulated gene expression in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds. HvABI5 specifically recognizes cis-elements of the ABA response complexes present in the promoters of the ABA-induced genes HVA1 and HVA22. HvABI5 together with another transcription factor, HvVP1, are required for the transactivation of these promoters, and this transactivation process is insensitive to the negative regulator abi1-1. The expression of HvABI5 itself appeared to be induced by ABA and can be suppressed by abi1-1. Gain- and loss-of-function studies in barley aleurone cells show that HvABI5 expression is positively regulated by a feed-forward circuit that involves HvABI5 itself and HvVP1. Mutation of the Ser residue in HvABI5, which has been shown to be phosphorylated in an ABA-dependent manner in the rice orthologue of HvABI5, reduces the transactivation activity of the factor by 50%. Although levels of HvABI5 and its transcript are enhanced by ABA treatment, the nuclear localization of HvABI5 is not affected by ABA. A model based on these observations is presented to explain the ABA upregulation of gene expression.

Nucleo-cytoplasmic partitioning of proteins in plants: implications for the regulation of environmental and developmental signalling

Considerable progress has been made in the past few years in characterising Arabidopsis nuclear transport receptors and in elucidating plant signal transduction pathways that employ nucleo-cytoplasmic partitioning of a member of the signal transduction chain. This review briefly introduces the major principles of nuclear transport of macromolecules across the nuclear envelope and the proteins involved, as they have been described in vertebrates and yeast. Proteins of the plant nuclear transport machinery that have been identified to date are discussed, the focus being on Importin beta-like nuclear transport receptors. Finally, the importance of nucleo-cytoplasmic partitioning as a regulatory tool for signalling is highlighted, and different plant signal transduction pathways that make use of this regulatory potential are presented.

Repressors of photomorphogenesis

The internal programs of plant development are informed in a profound way by environmental light conditions. This review summarizes the contribution of repressor proteins to the light-signaling machinery during seedling development, and discusses the integration of repressors with other, positively acting, light-signaling pathways and auxin and brassinosteroid hormone-signaling pathways. The main focus is placed on the mode of action of the COP/DET/FUS proteins, which were first identified in Arabidopsis but are now emerging in other plants. Their role in regulating protein turnover through ubiquitination is reviewed in light of parallel ongoing investigations of COP/DET/FUS homologues in metazoans and fungi.

Abscisic acid-induced transcription is mediated by phosphorylation of an abscisic acid response element binding factor, TRAB1

The rice basic domain/Leu zipper factor TRAB1 binds to abscisic acid (ABA) response elements and mediates ABA signals to activate transcription. We show that TRAB1 is phosphorylated rapidly in an in vivo labeling experiment and by phosphatase-sensitive mobility shifts on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. We had shown previously that a chimeric promoter containing GAL4 binding sites became ABA inducible when a GAL4 binding domain-TRAB1 fusion protein was present. This expression system allowed us to assay the ABA response function of TRAB1. Using this system, we show that Ser-102 of TRAB1 is critical for this function. Because no ABA-induced mobility shift was observed when Ser-102 was replaced by Ala, we suggest that this Ser residue is phosphorylated in response to ABA. Cell fractionation experiments, as well as fluorescence microscopy observations of transiently expressed green fluorescent protein-TRAB1 fusion protein, indicated that TRAB1 was localized in the nucleus independently of ABA. Our results suggest that the terminal or nearly terminal event of the primary ABA signal transduction pathway is the phosphorylation in the nucleus of preexisting TRAB1.

Expression of the grape dihydroflavonol reductase gene and analysis of its promoter region

Dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) is a key enzyme involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and proanthocyanidin synthesis in grape. DFR catalyses the reduction of dihydroflavonols to leucoanthocyanidins in the anthocyanin pathway. The DFR products, the leucoanthocyanidins, are substrates for the next step in the anthocyanin pathway and are also the substrates for the proanthocyanidin pathway. In the present study the promoter of the grape dfr gene was cloned. Analysis of the dfr promoter sequence revealed the existence of several putative DNA binding motifs. The dfr promoter was fused to the uidA gene and the control of this fusion and the endogenous dfr gene expression, was studied in transformed plants and in red cell suspension originated from fruits. The dfr promoter-uidA gene fusion was expressed in leaves, roots and stems. Deletions of the dfr promoter influenced the specificity of the expression of the GUS gene fusion in plantlet roots and the level of expression in plants and in the red cell suspension originated from fruits. The deletion analysis of the dfr promoter suggests that a specific sequence located between -725 to -233 might be involved in expression of the dfr gene in fruits. Light, calcium and sucrose induced the dfr gene expression. In the transformed suspension cultures, expression of both the endogenous dfr gene and the dfr promoter-uidA gene fusions was induced by white light. The induction by both light and calcium suggests the possible involvement of a UV receptors signal transduction pathway in the induction of the dfr gene. The induction of the dfr gene and the dfr promoter-uidA gene fusions by light and sucrose indicates a close interaction between sucrose and light signalling pathways.

Crosstalk among stress responses in plants: pathogen defense overrides UV protection through an inversely regulated ACE/ACE type of light-responsive gene promoter unit

Plants often have to cope with two or more environmental hazards simultaneously. Such coincidences require instantaneous decisions on relative severity and consequential crosstalk between the respective signaling cascades. Among the frequently encountered threats are pathogen infections and UV irradiation, both of which trigger specifically targeted defense responses by means of changes in gene transcription rates. In Petroselinum crispum, pathogen defense has been shown to be associated with extensive metabolic reprogramming, including strong repression of the UV-protective flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. Here we show that one of the involved genes, encoding acyl-CoA oxidase, responds positively to UV light and negatively to a pathogen-derived elicitor through an inversely regulated promoter unit consisting of two almost identical ACGT-containing elements (ACEs). This unit, when either introduced into an unrelated promoter or generated by mutation of a differently composed unit, confers the same type of response pattern on the recipient genes, confirming its general functionality at a convergence site of two largely distinct signaling pathways. Similarly large, rapid, and partly inverse effects of UV light and elicitor were observed for several mRNAs encoding common plant regulatory factors (CPRFs) that exhibit distinct dimerization and DNA-binding properties. This striking coincidence suggests a major role of common plant regulatory factors in mediating the apparent switch in the function of ACGT-containing elements from positive UV light to negative elicitor or pathogen responsiveness.

Identification of a light-regulated protein kinase activity from seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana

Protein kinase transduction pathways are thought to be involved in light signaling in plants, but other than the photoreceptors, no protein kinase activity has been shown to be light-regulated in vivo. Using an in-gel protein kinase assay technique with histone H III SS as an exogenous substrate, we identified a light-regulated protein kinase activity with an apparent molecular weight ca 50 kDa. The kinase activity increased transiently after irradiation of dark-grown seedlings with continuous far red light (FR) and blue light (B) and decreased after irradiation with red light (R). The maximal activation was achieved after 30 min to 1 h with FR or B. After irradiation times longer than 2 h, the kinase activity decreased to below the sensitivity level of the assay. In Arabidopsis mutants lacking either the photoreceptors phytochrome A, phytochrome B or the blue-light receptor cryptochrome 1, kinase activity was undetectable, whereas in the photomorphogenic mutants cop1 and det1 the kinase activity was also observed in the absence of light signals, though still stimulated by B and FR. Interestingly, the R inhibition of the kinase activity was lost in the mutant hy5. Pretreatment with cycloheximide blocked the kinase activity.

Arabidopsis GARP transcriptional activators interact with the Pro-rich activation domain shared by G-box-binding bZIP factors

The Pro-rich regions, found in a subset of plant bZIP transcription factors, including G-box-binding factors (GBFs) of Arabidopsis thaliana, are thought to be deeply involved in transcriptional regulation. However, the molecular mechanisms of the Pro-rich region-mediated transcriptional regulation are still largely unknown. Here we report evidence showing that two closely related Arabidopsis proteins, designated GPRI1 and GPRI2, containing a GARP DNA-binding domain, are likely partners of one or more GBFs. The results of yeast two-hybrid assays and in vitro binding assays indicated that GPRI1 can interact with the Pro-rich regions of GBF1 and GBF3. GPRI2 interacted with the Pro-rich region of GBF1. GPRI1 and GPRI2 transactivated transcription in yeast. In GPRI1 the region responsible for this activation was mapped in the N-terminal third of the protein. Transient assays showed that in Arabidopsis cells not only the N-terminal but also the C-terminal regions of GPRI1 can function as a separable activation domain. GPRI1 and GPRI2 may function in some promoters in concert with a GBF through interaction with its Pro-rich region to enhance the transcriptional level of the corresponding genes.

Tomato SP-interacting proteins define a conserved signaling system that regulates shoot architecture and flowering

Divergent architecture of shoot models in flowering plants reflects the pattern of production of vegetative and reproductive organs from the apical meristem. The SELF-PRUNING (SP) gene of tomato is a member of a novel CETS family of regulatory genes (CEN, TFL1, and FT) that controls this process. We have identified and describe here several proteins that interact with SP (SIPs) and with its homologs from other species: a NIMA-like kinase (SPAK), a bZIP factor, a novel 10-kD protein, and 14-3-3 isoforms. SPAK, by analogy with Raf1, has two potential binding sites for 14-3-3 proteins, one of which is shared with SP. Surprisingly, overexpression of 14-3-3 proteins partially ameliorates the effect of the sp mutation. Analysis of the binding potential of chosen mutant SP variants, in relation to conformational features known to be conserved in this new family of regulatory proteins, suggests that associations with other proteins are required for the biological function of SP and that ligand binding and protein-protein association domains of SP may be separated. We suggest that CETS genes encode a family of modulator proteins with the potential to interact with a variety of signaling proteins in a manner analogous to that of 14-3-3 proteins.

Tomato SP-interacting proteins define a conserved signaling system that regulates shoot architecture and flowering

Divergent architecture of shoot models in flowering plants reflects the pattern of production of vegetative and reproductive organs from the apical meristem. The SELF-PRUNING (SP) gene of tomato is a member of a novel CETS family of regulatory genes (CEN, TFL1, and FT) that controls this process. We have identified and describe here several proteins that interact with SP (SIPs) and with its homologs from other species: a NIMA-like kinase (SPAK), a bZIP factor, a novel 10-kD protein, and 14-3-3 isoforms. SPAK, by analogy with Raf1, has two potential binding sites for 14-3-3 proteins, one of which is shared with SP. Surprisingly, overexpression of 14-3-3 proteins partially ameliorates the effect of the sp mutation. Analysis of the binding potential of chosen mutant SP variants, in relation to conformational features known to be conserved in this new family of regulatory proteins, suggests that associations with other proteins are required for the biological function of SP and that ligand binding and protein-protein association domains of SP may be separated. We suggest that CETS genes encode a family of modulator proteins with the potential to interact with a variety of signaling proteins in a manner analogous to that of 14-3-3 proteins.

Tomato SP-interacting proteins define a conserved signaling system that regulates shoot architecture and flowering

Divergent architecture of shoot models in flowering plants reflects the pattern of production of vegetative and reproductive organs from the apical meristem. The SELF-PRUNING (SP) gene of tomato is a member of a novel CETS family of regulatory genes (CEN, TFL1, and FT) that controls this process. We have identified and describe here several proteins that interact with SP (SIPs) and with its homologs from other species: a NIMA-like kinase (SPAK), a bZIP factor, a novel 10-kD protein, and 14-3-3 isoforms. SPAK, by analogy with Raf1, has two potential binding sites for 14-3-3 proteins, one of which is shared with SP. Surprisingly, overexpression of 14-3-3 proteins partially ameliorates the effect of the sp mutation. Analysis of the binding potential of chosen mutant SP variants, in relation to conformational features known to be conserved in this new family of regulatory proteins, suggests that associations with other proteins are required for the biological function of SP and that ligand binding and protein-protein association domains of SP may be separated. We suggest that CETS genes encode a family of modulator proteins with the potential to interact with a variety of signaling proteins in a manner analogous to that of 14-3-3 proteins.

The 5' end of the pea ferredoxin-1 mRNA mediates rapid and reversible light-directed changes in translation in tobacco

Ferredoxin-1 (Fed-1) mRNA contains an internal light response element (iLRE) that destabilizes mRNA when light-grown plants are placed in darkness. mRNAs containing this element dissociate from polyribosomes in the leaves of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants transferred to the dark for 2 d. Here, we report in vivo labeling experiments with a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase mRNA fused to the Fed-1 iLRE. Our data indicate that the Fed-1 iLRE mediates a rapid decline in translational efficiency and that iLRE-containing mRNAs dissociate from polyribosomes within 20 min after plants are transferred to darkness. Both events occur before the decline in mRNA abundance, and polyribosome association is rapidly reversible if plants are re-illuminated. These observations support a model in which Fed-1 mRNA in illuminated leaves is stabilized by its association with polyribosomes, and/or by translation. In darkness a large portion of the mRNA dissociates from polyribosomes and is subsequently degraded. We also show that a significant portion of total tobacco leaf mRNA is shifted from polyribosomal to non-polyribosomal fractions after 20 min in the dark, indicating that translation of other mRNAs is also rapidly down-regulated in response to darkness. This class includes some, but not all, cytoplasmic mRNAs encoding proteins involved in photosynthesis.

A nuclear casein kinase 2 activity is involved in early events of transcriptional activation induced by salicylic acid in tobacco

Salicylic acid (SA) activates immediate early transcription of genes controlled by a family of DNA promoter elements named as-1-like elements. These elements are functional in the promoter of glutathione S-transferase genes. We have previously shown that SA increases the binding of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi nc) nuclear factors to the as-1 sequence in a process mediated by protein phosphorylation. In this study we give evidence for the participation of a nuclear protein kinase CK2 (casein kinase 2) in the pathway activated by SA in tobacco. The first line of evidence comes from the evaluation of the CK2 activity in nuclear extracts prepared from tobacco plants treated with SA or water as a control. Results from these experiments indicate that SA increases the nuclear CK2 activity. The second line of evidence derives from the evaluation of the in vivo effect of 5,6-dichloro-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl) benzimidazole (DRB), a cell-permeable CK2 inhibitor, on the responsiveness of the as-1 sequence to SA. Results from these experiments indicate that DRB impairs the activating effect of SA on the transcription of both, the GUS reporter gene controlled by a tetramer of the as-1 element, and the endogenous gnt35 gene encoding a glutathione S-transferase, in transgenic tobacco plants. DRB also impaired the increasing effect of SA on the binding of nuclear factors to the as-1 element. Furthermore, transcription of the as-1/GUS reporter gene activated by the synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and by methyl jasmonate was also inhibited by DRB. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which activation of a CK2 enzyme by a plant hormone is reported.

A DNA-binding activity for the promoter of the gene encoding C(4) phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase is modulated by phosphorylation during greening of the Sorghum leaf

Electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA) identified nuclear proteins with binding activity to a 430 bp promoter fragment of the Sorghum C(4) phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene (SvC4). The DNA binding activities (two main retarded bands; PC1 and PC2) were high in nuclear extracts from etiolated leaves, decreased during greening and became very low or null in nuclear extracts from green leaves. This process was found to be mediated by phytochrome and was apparently irreversible since the DNA-binding activities were not restored in green plants kept in continuous darkness. The AT-rich region of the promoter fragment was identified to be the interaction domain of PC2. The detection of PC2 with EMSA was markedly reduced by preincubation of nuclear protein extracts with Mg-ATP or Mg-GTP and restored in the presence of a general protein serine/threonine-kinase inhibitor, K252a. The results suggested that the PC2 binding activity was modulated by phosphorylation during the greening process of the Sorghum leaf.

HY5 stability and activity in arabidopsis is regulated by phosphorylation in its COP1 binding domain

Arabidopsis HY5 is a bZIP transcription factor that promotes photomorphogenesis. Previous studies suggested that COP1, a negative regulator of photomorphogenesis, directly interacts with nuclear HY5 and targets it for proteasome-mediated degradation. Light negatively regulates the nuclear level of COP1 and thus permits HY5 accumulation. Here we report that HY5 abundance peaks in early seedling development, consistent with its role in promoting photomorphogenesis. HY5 acts exclusively within a complex and exists in two isoforms, resulting from phosphorylation within its COP1 binding domain by a light- regulated kinase activity. Unphosphorylated HY5 shows stronger interaction with COP1, is the preferred substrate for degradation, has higher affinity to target promoters and is physiologically more active than the phosphorylated version. Therefore, HY5 phosphorylation provides an added level of light-mediated regulation of HY5 stability and activity besides nuclear COP1 levels. Regulated HY5 phosphorylation not only provides abundant and physiologically more active unphosphorylated HY5 in the light, but also helps to maintain a small pool of less active phosphorylated HY5 in the dark, which could be essential for a rapid initial response during dark-to-light transition.

AGROBACTERIUM AND PLANT GENES INVOLVED IN T-DNA TRANSFER AND INTEGRATION

The phytopathogenic bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens genetically transforms plants by transferring a portion of the resident Ti-plasmid, the T-DNA, to the plant. Accompanying the T-DNA into the plant cell is a number of virulence (Vir) proteins. These proteins may aid in T-DNA transfer, nuclear targeting, and integration into the plant genome. Other virulence proteins on the bacterial surface form a pilus through which the T-DNA and the transferred proteins may translocate. Although the roles of these virulence proteins within the bacterium are relatively well understood, less is known about their roles in the plant cell. In addition, the role of plant-encoded proteins in the transformation process is virtually unknown. In this article, I review what is currently known about the functions of virulence and plant proteins in several aspects of the Agrobacterium transformation process.

Photocontrol of subcellular partitioning of phytochrome-B:GFP fusion protein in tobacco seedlings

Photomorphogenesis of higher plants is regulated by photoreceptors including the red/far-red light-absorbing phytochromes, blue-UV/A sensing cryptochromes and as yet uncharacterized UV/B receptors. Specific phototransduction pathways that are controlled by either individual or interacting photoreceptors mediate regulation. Phytochrome B (phyB) is the major red light-sensing photoreceptor. Phototransduction mediated by this light sensor has been shown to include light-dependent nuclear import and interaction of phyB with transcription factor-like proteins in the nucleus. Here we report that nuclear import of phyB and physiological responses regulated by this photoreceptor exhibit very similar wavelength- and fluence rate-dependence. Nuclear import of phyB is insensitive to single red, blue and far-red light pulses. It is induced by continuous red light and to a lesser extent by continuous blue light, whereas far-red light is completely ineffective. The data presented indicate that light-dependent partitioning of phyB exhibits features characteristic of blue light responsiveness amplification, a phenomenon that is thought to be mediated by interaction of phyB with CRY1.

The circadian clock controls the expression pattern of the circadian input photoreceptor, phytochrome B

Developmental and physiological responses are regulated by light throughout the entire life cycle of higher plants. To sense changes in the light environment, plants have developed various photoreceptors, including the red/far-red light-absorbing phytochromes and blue light-absorbing cryptochromes. A wide variety of physiological responses, including most light responses, also are modulated by circadian rhythms that are generated by an endogenous oscillator, the circadian clock. To provide information on local time, circadian clocks are synchronized and entrained by environmental time cues, of which light is among the most important. Light-driven entrainment of the Arabidopsis circadian clock has been shown to be mediated by phytochrome A (phyA), phytochrome B (phyB), and cryptochromes 1 and 2, thus affirming the roles of these photoreceptors as input regulators to the plant circadian clock. Here we show that the expression of PHYB::LUC reporter genes containing the promoter and 5' untranslated region of the tobacco NtPHYB1 or Arabidopsis AtPHYB genes fused to the luciferase (LUC) gene exhibit robust circadian oscillations in transgenic plants. We demonstrate that the abundance of PHYB RNA retains this circadian regulation and use a PHYB::Luc fusion protein to show that the rate of PHYB synthesis is also rhythmic. The abundance of bulk PHYB protein, however, exhibits only weak circadian rhythmicity, if any. These data suggest that photoreceptor gene expression patterns may be significant in the daily regulation of plant physiology and indicate an unexpectedly intimate relationship between the components of the input pathway and the putative circadian clock mechanism in higher plants.

Identification of UV-B light-responsive regions in the promoter of the tryptophan decarboxylase gene from Catharanthus roseus

The tryptophan decarboxylase (Tdc) gene encodes a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) in Catharanthus roseus. TIAs absorb ultraviolet light (UV) and putative functions in plants include a role as UV protectants. In support of this possible function we demonstrate here that UV light induces accumulation of several TIAs as well as expression of the Tdc gene in C. roseus. In addition, in tobacco a Tdc-gusA construct was found to be specifically induced by UV-B light. Lack of induction by UV-A or other wavelengths of light indicate that Tdc expression is regulated by a specific UV-B receptor and corresponding signal transduction pathway. To identify UV-responsive Tdc promoter elements, a loss-of-function analysis was performed, in which deletion derivatives were fused to the gusA reporter gene and analysed in transgenic tobacco plants. Truncation of the Tdc promoter from -1818 (relative to the start of transcription) to -160 reduced expression levels two-fold without affecting the qualitative UV response. Deletion to -37 further reduced expression levels five-fold, but the delta37 promoter also remained UV-responsive. Subsequently, the -160 to -37 region was further studied by gain-of-function experiments, in which the transcriptional activities of tetramerized subfragments fused to truncated promoters were analysed. Combination of the data identified several functional regions in the -160 to +198 promoter. The - 160 to -99 region acts as the main transcriptional enhancer. UV-responsive elements appeared to be redundant in the -160 Tdc promoter and to reside between -99 and -37 and between -37 and + 198.

Constitutive protein-DNA interactions on the abscisic acid-responsive element before and after developmental activation of the rab28 gene

Transcription of the rab28 gene from maize is induced in late embryo development and in response to abscisic acid. We have studied the regulation of the activity of the rab28 promoter in embryos. Two abscisic acid-responsive elements (ABREs) were necessary for expression in embryos of transgenic Arabidopsis and in transient transformation in maize embryos. In vivo footprinting showed that there was protein binding to the ABREs and to other cis elements in the promoter in young embryos before expression of rab28. This shows that the rab28 promoter is in an open chromatin structure before developmental activation. The ABREs are important for the induction and have protein binding in young embryos. Nuclear proteins extracted from embryos before activation of rab28 bound to the ABREs in band shift assays. A complex with different mobility was formed between nuclear proteins and the ABREs after induction of rab28 suggesting a modification of the ABRE-binding factor or an exchange of proteins. The footprints on the ABREs were unaltered by induction with abscisic acid or during developmental activation of rab28. These results indicate that constitutive binding of transcription factor(s) on the ABRE is central in embryonic regulation of the rab28 gene.

Protein nucleocytoplasmic transport and its light regulation in plants

Light exerts a great influence on gene expression, physiology and development pattern in higher plants. Protein factors involved in these processes, such as the photoreceptor, phytochrome B, a key regulatory protein, COP1, and some bZIP transcription factors have been identified and their light-regulated movement between the cytoplasm and the nucleus has been demonstrated. These findings imply that nucleocytoplasmic transport plays a crucial role in light regulation in higher plants. This review summarizes recent investigations into plant nuclear transport systems and specific cases where nucleocytoplasmic transport is subject to light regulation.

Reduction of G-box binding factor DNA binding activity, but not G-box binding factor abundance, causes the downregulation of RBCS2 expression during early tomato fruit development

The downregulation of RBCS2 promoter activity during tomato fruit development has been investigated by transient gene expression. A major drop in promoter activity occurs between 5 and 25 mm fruit diameter, corresponding to the late cell division to early cell enlargement phase. This drop is abolished by a mutation of the single G-box element necessary for high RBCS2 promoter activity in young tomato fruit. The G-box binding activity of fruit nuclear and total protein extracts drops concomitantly with the reduction of RBCS2 promoter activity while G-box binding factor expression is not affected. The data indicate that the developmental signal that downregulates the RBCS2 promoter acts on the regulation of DNA binding activity of constitutively expressed G-box binding factors.

Transcription factors and their genes in higher plants functional domains, evolution and regulation

A typical plant transcription factor contains, with few exceptions, a DNA-binding region, an oligomerization site, a transcription-regulation domain, and a nuclear localization signal. Most transcription factors exhibit only one type of DNA-binding and oligomerization domain, occasionally in multiple copies, but some contain two distinct types. DNA-binding regions are normally adjacent to or overlap with oligomerization sites, and their combined tertiary structure determines critical aspects of transcription factor activity. Pairs of nuclear localization signals exist in several transcription factors, and basic amino acid residues play essential roles in their function, a property also true for DNA-binding domains. Multigene families encode transcription factors, with members either dispersed in the genome or clustered on the same chromosome. Distribution and sequence analyses suggest that transcription factor families evolved via gene duplication, exon capture, translocation, and mutation. The expression of transcription factor genes in plants is regulated at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, while the activity of their protein products is modulated post-translationally. The purpose of this review is to describe the domain structure of plant transcription factors, and to relate this information to processes that control the synthesis and action of these proteins.

Modulation of GT-1 DNA-binding activity by calcium-dependent phosphorylation

The analysis of pea rbcS-3A promoter sequence showed that BoxII was necessary for the control of rbcS-3A gene expression by light. GT-1, a DNA-binding protein that interacts with BoxII in vitro, is a good candidate for being a light-modulated molecular switch controlling gene expression. However, the relationship between GT-1 activity and light-responsive gene activation still remains hypothetical. Because no marked de novo synthesis was detected after light treatment, light may induce post-translational modifications of GT-1 such as phosphorylation or dephosphorylation. Here, we show that recombinant GT-1 (hGT-1) of Arabidopsis can be phosphorylated by various mammalian kinase activities in vitro. Whereas phosphorylation by casein kinase II had no apparent effect on hGT-1 DNA binding, phosphorylation by calcium/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) increased the binding activity 10-20-fold. Mass spectrometry analyses of the phosphorylated hGT-1 showed that amongst the 6 potential phosphorylatable residues (T86, T133, S175, T179, S198 and T278), only T133 and S198 are heavily modified. Analyses of mutants altered at T86, T133, S175, T179, S198 and T278 demonstrated that phosphorylation of T133 can account for most of the stimulation of DNA-binding activity by CaMKII, indicating that this residue plays an important role in hGT-1/BoxII interaction. We further showed that nuclear GT-1 DNA-binding activity to BoxII was reduced by treatment with calf intestine phosphatase in extracts prepared from light-grown plants but not from etiolated plants. Taken together, our results suggest that GT-1 may act as a molecular switch modulated by calcium-dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation in response to light signals.

Photomophogenesis: Phytochrome takes a partner!

How light signals are transduced by phytochromes is still poorly understood. Recent studies have provided evidence that a PAS domain protein, PIF3, physically interacts with phytochromes, plays a role in phytochrome signal transduction and might be a component of a novel signalling pathway in plants.

The role of COP1 in repression of Arabidopsis photomorphogenic development

Photomorphogenic development in Arabidopsis is regulated by the key repressor COP1, which interacts with specific transcription factors in the nucleus to modulate their activities. In the dark, COP1 accumulates in the nucleus and represses photomorphogenic development. Light diminishes the nuclear accumulation of COP1 and abrogates its repressor activity. A number of cellular components are involved in light-dependent nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of COP1, including the multisubunit COP9 complexes and at least three well-characterized photoreceptors. This review discusses current understanding of the mechanisms of COP1 action.

Discrete domains mediate the light-responsive nuclear and cytoplasmic localization of Arabidopsis COP1

The Arabidopsis CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1) protein plays a critical role in the repression of photomorphogenesis during Arabidopsis seedling development. We investigated the control of COP1 partitioning between nucleus and cytoplasm, which has been implicated in the regulation of COP1 activity, by using fusion proteins between COP1 and beta-glucuronidase or the green fluorescent protein. Transient expression assays using onion epidermal cells and data from hypocotyl cells of stably transformed Arabidopsis demonstrated that COP1 carries a single, bipartite nuclear localization signal that functions independently of light. Nuclear exclusion was mediated by a novel and distinct signal, bordering the zinc-finger and coiled-coil motifs, that was able to redirect a heterologous nuclear protein to the cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic localization signal functioned in a light-independent manner. Light regulation of nuclear localization was reconstituted by combining the individual domains containing the nuclear localization signal and the cytoplasmic localization signal; the WD-40 repeat domain of COP1 was not required. However, phenotypic analysis of transgenic seedlings suggested that the constitutively nuclear-localized WD-40 repeat domain was able to mimic aspects of COP1 function, as indicated by exaggerated hypocotyl elongation under light conditions.

Antisense expression of the CK2 alpha-subunit gene in Arabidopsis. Effects on light-regulated gene expression and plant growth

The protein kinase CK2 (formerly casein kinase II) is thought to be involved in light-regulated gene expression in plants because of its ability to phosphorylate transcription factors that bind to the promoter regions of light-regulated genes in vitro. To address this possibility in vivo and to learn more about the potential physiological roles of CK2 in plants, we transformed Arabidopsis with an antisense construct of the CK2 alpha-subunit gene and investigated both morphological and molecular phenotypes. Antisense transformants had a smaller adult leaf size and showed increased expression of chs in darkness and of cab and rbcS after red-light treatment. The latter molecular phenotype implied that CK2 might serve as one of several negative and quantitative effectors in light-regulated gene expression. The possible mechanism of CK2 action and its involvement in the phytochrome signal transduction pathway are discussed.

Nuclear import of the parsley bZIP transcription factor CPRF2 is regulated by phytochrome photoreceptors

In plants, light perception by photoreceptors leads to differential expression of an enormous number of genes. An important step for differential gene expression is the regulation of transcription factor activities. To understand these processes in light signal transduction we analyzed the three well-known members of the common plant regulatory factor (CPRF) family from parsley (Petroselinum crispum). Here, we demonstrate that these CPRFs, which belong to the basic- region leucine-zipper (bZIP) domain-containing transcription factors, are differentially distributed within parsley cells, indicating different regulatory functions within the regulatory networks of the plant cell. In particular, we show by cell fractionation and immunolocalization approaches that CPRF2 is transported from the cytosol into the nucleus upon irradiation due to action of phytochrome photoreceptors. Two NH2-terminal domains responsible for cytoplasmic localization of CPRF2 in the dark were characterized by deletion analysis using a set of CPRF2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene fusion constructs transiently expressed in parsley protoplasts. We suggest that light-induced nuclear import of CPRF2 is an essential step in phytochrome signal transduction.

Photoregulated expression of the PsPK3 and PsPK5 genes in pea seedlings

The PsPK3 and PsPK5 genes of the garden pea encode protein-serine/threonine kinases whose catalytic domains are closely related to known signal transducing kinases from animals and fungi. The PsPK3 polypeptide is predicted to be located in the nucleus, whereas PsPK5 is a homologue of NPH1, the probable blue light receptor for phototropism from Arabidopsis. We found previously that when etiolated pea seedlings are illuminated with continuous white light, PsPK3 and PsPK5 transcript levels within apical buds decline substantially, reaching their minimum levels within one day of exposure to light. The role of light in regulating the expression of the PsPK3 and PsPK5 genes was investigated further. To gain insight into the rapidity with which expression changes, 6-day old, dark-grown pea seedlings were transferred to continuous white light, and PsPK3 and PsPK5 RNA levels monitored over the ensuing 24 h. While transcripts from the RbcS gene family increase, the PsPK3 and PsPK5 mRNAs decline rapidly to their minimum levels. PsPK5 mRNA declines 10-fold in ca. 2 h, whereas PsPK3 mRNA declines 4-fold in ca. 8 h. We used single pulses of light to elucidate which photoreceptor triggers the negative regulation of PsPK3 and PsPK5 gene expression. To assess phytochrome involvement, etiolated seedlings were treated with single pulses of red light, red followed by far-red light, or far-red light alone. RbcS induction by a red light pulse is reversible with a subsequent far-red light pulse, clearly showing that phytochrome mediates its induction. Likewise, RbcS expression is induced with a single pulse of blue light or a dichromatic pulse of red+blue light. However, none of these pulses trigger the PsPK3 and PsPK5 mRNA levels to decline. Given the lack of effectiveness of light pulses, etiolated seedlings were transferred to continuous light of three different qualities to determine the spectral sensitivity of PsPK3 and PsPK5 gene expression. Exposure to continuous red, continuous far-red, or continuous blue light causes the PsPK3 and PsPK5 mRNAs to decline and transcripts from the RbcS and Cab gene families to increase. One likely explanation is that phytochrome A mediates the responses of these genes to continuous far-red light. The effectiveness of continuous red light and blue light in triggering the reduction in PsPK3 and PsPK5 mRNA levels and the increase in RbcS and Cab mRNAs may imply the participation of additional phytochromes and/or cryptochromes. Thus, the PsPK3 and PsPK5 genes exhibit responsiveness to continuous light, but a lack of responsiveness to single light pulses that is unusual, and perhaps unique, among light-regulated genes.