AtHsfA2 modulates expression of stress responsive genes and enhances tolerance to heat and oxidative stress in Arabidopsis.
There is increasing evidence for considerable interlinking between the responses to heat stress and oxidative stress, and recent researches suggest heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) play an important role in linking heat shock with oxidative stress signals. In this paper, we present evidence that AtHsfA2 modulated expression of stress responsive genes and enhanced tolerance to heat and oxidative stress in Arabidopsis. Using Northern blot and quantitative RT-PCR analysis, we demonstrated that the expression of AtHsfA2 was induced by not only HS but also oxidative stress. By functional analysis of AtHsfA2 knockout mutants and AtHsfA2 overexpressing transgenic plants, we also demonstrated that the mutants displayed reduced the basal and acquired thermotolerance as well as oxidative stress tolerance but the overexpression lines displayed increased tolerance to these stress. The phenotypes correlated with the expression of some Hsps and APX1, ion leakage, H202 level and degree of oxidative injuries. These results showed that, by modulated expression of stress responsive genes, AtHsfA2 enhanced tolerance to heat and oxidative stress in Arabidopsis. So we suggest that AtHsfA2 plays an important role in linking heat shock with oxidative stress signals.
State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China.
Chunguang
C
Li
Qijun
Q
Chen
Xinqi
X
Gao
Bishu
B
Qi
Naizhi
N
Chen
Shouming
S
Xu
Jia
J
Chen
Xuechen
X
Wang
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D060387:Ascorbate Peroxidases; D015152:Blotting, Northern / Q000379:methods; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D000076249:Heat Shock Transcription Factors; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D010539:Permeability; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012395:Rose Bengal / Q000032:analysis; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects; D013534:Survival; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C000620134:HSFA2 protein, Arabidopsis; D000076249:Heat Shock Transcription Factors; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012395:Rose Bengal; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010544:Peroxidases; D060387:Ascorbate Peroxidases