title: Ectopic expression of PtaRHE1, encoding a poplar RING-H2 protein with E3 ligase activity, alters plant development and induces defence-related responses.
abstract: RING (really interesting new gene)-H2 domain-containing proteins are widely represented in plants and play important roles in the regulation of many developmental processes as well as in plant-environment interactions. In the present report, experiments were performed to unravel the role of the poplar gene PtaRHE1, coding for a RING-H2 protein. In vitro ubiquitination assays indicate a functional E3 ligase activity for PtaRHE1 with the specific E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH5a. The overexpression of PtaRHE1 in tobacco resulted in a pleiotropic phenotype characterized by a curling of the leaves, the formation of necrotic lesions on leaf blades, growth retardation, and a delay in floral transition. The plant gene expression response to PtaRHE1 overexpression provided evidence for the up-regulation of defence- and/or programmed cell death-related genes. Moreover, genes coding for WRKY transcription factors as well as for mitogen-activated protein kinases, such as wound-induced protein kinase (WIPK), were also found to be induced in the transgenic lines as compared with the wild type. In addition, histochemical beta-glucuronidase staining showed that the PtaRHE1 promoter is induced by plant pathogens and by elicitors such as salicylic acid and cellulase. Taken together, these results suggest that the E3 ligase PtaRHE1 plays a role in the ubiquitination-mediated regulation of defence response, possibly by acting upstream of WIPK and/or in the activation of WRKY factors.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale, Université Libre de Bruxelles, rue Adrienne Bolland 8, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mukoko Bopopi
authors.forename: Olivier M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Vandeputte
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Himanen
authors.forename: Adeline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.forename: Quentin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Vaessen
authors.forename: Mondher
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Jaziri
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baucher
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay; D035264:Flowers / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000378:metabolism; D009336:Necrosis; D010641:Phenotype; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D032107:Populus / Q000201:enzymology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / Q000378:metabolism*; D054875:Ubiquitination; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; D005966:Glucuronidase