title: Phosphorylation by AtMPK6 is required for the biological function of AtMYB41 in Arabidopsis.
abstract: Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs) are involved in a number of signaling pathways that control plant development and stress tolerance via the phosphorylation of target molecules. However, so far only a limited number of target molecules have been identified. Here, we provide evidence that MYB41 represents a new target of MPK6. MYB41 interacts with MPK6 not only in vitro but also in planta. MYB41 was phosphorylated by recombinant MPK6 as well as by plant MPK6. Ser(251) in MYB41 was identified as the site phosphorylated by MPK6. The phosphorylation of MYB41 by MPK6 enhanced its DNA binding to the promoter of a LTP gene. Interestingly, transgenic plants over-expressing MYB41(WT) showed enhanced salt tolerance, whereas transgenic plants over-expressing MYB41(S251A) showed decreased salt tolerance during seed germination and initial root growth. These results indicate that the phosphorylation of MYB41 by MPK6 is required for the biological function of MYB41 in salt tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Program), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: My Hanh Thi
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hoang
authors.forename: Xuan Canh
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Kyunghee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young Sang
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Huyen Trang Thi
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.forename: Hyeong Cheol
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Dae-Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Chae Oh
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Woo Sik
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D055049:Salt Tolerance; D012694:Serine / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C541274:Myb41 protein, Arabidopsis; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012694:Serine; C436293:MPK6 protein, Arabidopsis; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases