HD-ZIP III activity is modulated by competitive inhibitors via a feedback loop in Arabidopsis shoot apical meristem development.
Shoot apical meristem (SAM) development is coordinately regulated by two interdependent signaling events: one maintaining stem cell identity and the other governing the initiation of lateral organs from the flanks of the SAM. The signaling networks involved in this process are interconnected and are regulated by multiple molecular mechanisms. Class III homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-ZIP III) proteins are the most extensively studied transcription factors involved in this regulation. However, how different signals are integrated to maintain stem cell identity and to pattern lateral organ polarity remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that a small ZIP protein, ZPR3, and its functionally redundant homolog, ZPR4, negatively regulate the HD-ZIP III activity in SAM development. ZPR3 directly interacts with PHABULOSA (PHB) and other HD-ZIP III proteins via the ZIP motifs and forms nonfunctional heterodimers. Accordingly, a double mutant, zpr3-2 zpr4-2, exhibits an altered SAM activity with abnormal stem cell maintenance. However, the mutant displays normal patterning of leaf polarity. In addition, we show that PHB positively regulates ZPR3 expression. We therefore propose that HD-ZIP III activity in regulating SAM development is modulated by, among other things, a feedback loop involving the competitive inhibitors ZPR3 and ZPR4.
Kim
Youn-Sung
YS
Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
Kim
Sang-Gyu
SG
Lee
Minsun
M
Lee
Ilha
I
Park
Hye-Young
HY
Seo
Pil Joon
PJ
Jung
Jae-Hoon
JH
Kwon
Eun-Jung
EJ
Suh
Se Won
SW
Paek
Kyung-Hee
KH
Park
Chung-Mo
CM
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000254:growth & development*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019281:Dimerization; D005246:Feedback; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D018519:Meristem / Q000254:growth & development*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C493946:HD-Zip protein, Arabidopsis; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger