Functional characterization of three ethylene response factor genes from Bupleurum kaoi indicates that BkERFs mediate resistance to Botrytis cinerea.
Three novel ethylene response factor (ERF) genes, BkERF1, BkERF2.1 and BkERF2.2, were isolated from a medicinal plant, Bupleurum kaoi. The deduced BkERFs contain a canonical nuclear localization signal and an ERF/AP2 DNA binding domain. RNA gel blot analysis revealed that BkERF1 and BkERF2.1 were ubiquitously expressed at low levels in all parts of mature plants, and that BkERF2.2 was expressed at moderate levels in vegetative tissues. Exogenous application of methyl jasmonate induced BkERF1/2.1/2.2 transcripts. BkERF2.2 transcript levels were slightly increased by addition of ethephon and salicylic acid. BkERFs were localized in the plant nucleus and functioned as transcriptional activators. In B. kaoi cells overexpressing BKERFs, inoculation with Botrytis cinerea increased expression of some defense genes which are associated with enhanced disease resistance. Similarly, overexpression of BkERFs in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in elevated mRNA levels of the defense gene PDF1.2, and in enhanced resistance to B. cinerea. Collectively, these results provide evidence that BkERFs mediate the expression of defense-related genes in plants.
Liu
Wen-Yu
WY
Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology & Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, No. 101 Sec. 2 Kuang Fu Road, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Chiou
Shu-Jiau
SJ
Ko
Chia-Yun
CY
Lin
Tsai-Yun
TY
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D020171:Botrytis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D029972:Bupleurum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000302:isolation & purification; D023082:Defensins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000276:immunology*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D054883:Oxylipins / Q000494:pharmacology; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D057865:Plant Immunity / Q000235:genetics; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
D000085:Acetates; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D018744:DNA, Plant; D023082:Defensins; D005030:Ethylenes; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D054883:Oxylipins; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D010940:Plant Proteins; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D014157:Transcription Factors; C487542:At5g44420 protein, Arabidopsis; C072239:methyl jasmonate; C036216:ethylene; C005073:ethephon