title: In vivo and in vitro activation of temperature-responsive plant map kinases.
abstract: Alfalfa cells possess two temperature-responsive Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs), SAMK (Stress-Activated MAP Kinase) activated at 4 degrees C and HAMK (Heat shock-Activated MAP Kinase) activated at 37 degrees C. Both are inactive at 25 degrees C. We show here that SAMK is activated when cells are transferred from 37 degrees C to 25 degrees C, and HAMK is activated when cells are transferred from 4 degrees C to 25 degrees C. Moreover, we show that heat activation of HAMK also occurs in cell-free extracts. We conclude that (i) SAMK or HAMK activation does not require a particular temperature but a relative temperature shift, and (ii) that either HAMK itself or one or more of its upstream activators can sense temperature change directly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Docteur Penfield, H3A 1B1, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Veena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sangwan
authors.forename: Rajinder S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Dhindsa
mesh_terms: D002474:Cell-Free System; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006358:Hot Temperature; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases