Reisdorf-Cren M, Carrayol E, Tercé-Laforgue T, Hirel B. A novel HMG A-like protein binds differentially to the AT-rich regions located in the far distal and proximal parts of a soybean glutamine synthetase gene (GS15) promoter.
PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2002;
43:1006-16. [PMID:
12354918 DOI:
10.1093/pcp/pcf123]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In soybean (Glycine max L.) ammonium provided externally or as the result of symbiotic nitrogen fixation stimulates the transcription of GS15, a gene encoding cytosolic glutamine synthetase. Strong constitutive positive expression (SCPE), silencer-like and organ-specific elements, located respectively in the distal, the central and the proximal region of the promoter are required to control the ammonium responsiveness of the gene expression [Tercé-Laforgue et al. (1999) Plant Mol. Biol. 39: 551]. It was hypothesized that the correct spatial conformation of the promoter permitted the cooperative action of these three cis-acting elements. Further investigations were therefore required to ascertain this hypothesis. A nodule nuclear protein, binding to a 66 bp AT-rich DNA fragment containing a 13 bp AT-rich repeated sequence (AT-1) and located just downstream of the SCPE element, was identified using a gel retardation assay. A cDNA clone likely to code for this protein was isolated using the yeast one-hybrid system. It encodes a novel DNA binding protein (AT-1SNBP) similar to HMG A proteins but exhibiting a higher molecular weight. AT-1SNBP appears to be encoded by a single gene that is expressed in roots, root nodules and leaves of soybean. Since two other 13 bp AT-rich repeated sequences (AT-2 and AT-3) were localized in the organ-specific element, we have quantified the binding affinity of AT-1SNBP to these sequences. We demonstrate that AT-1SNBP binds differentially to DNA fragments containing AT-1, AT-2 and AT-3 and that its binding affinity depends on the presence of adjacent sequences. This result suggests that AT-1SNBP may be an architectural protein involved in maintaining the spatial conformation of the GS15 promoter, thus facilitating the interaction between the distal and proximal regulatory elements.
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