title: In plants the alc gene expression system responds more rapidly following induction with acetaldehyde than with ethanol.
abstract: It has recently been proposed that acetaldehyde is the physiological inducer of the alc gene system and hence indirectly the activator of the AlcA promoter in Aspergillus nidulans. Here we show that this chemical induces expression of a GUS (beta-D-glucuronidase) reporter under the control of the alc gene system in transgenic potato tubers more rapidly than ethanol allowing tighter control of transgene expression. Furthermore by analysis of metabolite levels we demonstrate that the application of inducer has few effects on metabolism. We propose that this system is therefore ideal for the temporal regulation of important metabolic enzyme activities.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Golm, Germany.
authors.forename: Björn H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Junker
authors.forename: Chengcai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sonnewald
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Willmitzer
authors.forename: Alisdair R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fernie
mesh_terms: D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001233:Aspergillus nidulans; D002074:Butanones / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002074:Butanones; D010940:Plant Proteins; D000431:Ethanol; C005222:methylethyl ketone; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000079:Acetaldehyde