title: AtGRP2, a cold-induced nucleo-cytoplasmic RNA-binding protein, has a role in flower and seed development.
abstract: The glycine-rich protein AtGRP2 is one of the four members of the cold-shock domain (CSD) protein family in Arabidopsis. It is characterized by the presence of a nucleic acid-binding CSD domain, two glycine-rich domains and two CCHC zinc-fingers present in nucleic acid-binding proteins. In an attempt to further understand the role of CSD/GRP proteins in plants, we have proceeded to the functional characterization of the AtGRP2 gene. Here, we demonstrate that AtGRP2 is a nucleo-cytoplasmic protein involved in Arabidopsis development with a possible function in cold-response. Expression analysis revealed that the AtGRP2 gene is active in meristematic tissues, being modulated during flower development. Down-regulation of AtGRP2 gene, using gene-silencing techniques resulted in early flowering, altered stamen number and affected seed development. A possible role of AtGRP2 as an RNA chaperone is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Genética Molecular Vegetal, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, C.P. 68011, 21941-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adriana Flores
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Fusaro
authors.forename: Silvia Nora
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Bocca
authors.forename: Rose Lucia Braz
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Rosa Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Barrôco
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Magioli
authors.forename: Vanessa Cardeal
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Jorge
authors.forename: Tatiana Cardoso
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.forename: Camila Martins
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rangel-Lima
authors.forename: Riet
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Rycke
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Inzé
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Engler
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sachetto-Martins
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D035264:Flowers / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018519:Meristem / Q000378:metabolism; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D021381:Protein Transport; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C521041:GRP2 protein, Arabidopsis; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins