Targeted inactivation of transcription factors by overexpression of their truncated forms in plants.
Transcription factors are central constituents of gene regulatory networks that control diverse aspects of plant development and environmental adaptability. Therefore they have been explored for decades as primary targets for agricultural biotechnology. A gene of interest can readily be introduced into many crop plants, whereas targeted gene inactivation is practically difficult in many cases. Here, we developed an artificial small interfering peptide (a-siPEP) approach, which is based on overexpression of specific protein domains, and evaluated its application for the targeted inactivation of transcription factors in the dicot model, Arabidopsis, and monocot model, Brachypodium. We designed potential a-siPEPs of two representative MADS box transcription factors, SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSOR OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1) and AGAMOUS (AG), and a MYB transcription factor, LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY). Transgenic plants overproducing the a-siPEPs displayed phenotypes comparable to those of gene-deficient mutants. The a-siPEPs attenuate nuclear import and DNA-binding of target transcription factors. Our data demonstrate that the a-siPEP tool is an efficient genetic means of inactivating specific transcription factors in plants.
Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
Pil Joon
PJ
Seo
Shin-Young
SY
Hong
Jae Yong
JY
Ryu
Eun-Young
EY
Jeong
Sang-Gyu
SG
Kim
Ian T
IT
Baldwin
Chung-Mo
CM
Park
D026342:AGAMOUS Protein, Arabidopsis / Q000378:metabolism; D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001709:Biotechnology; D058431:Brachypodium / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D035264:Flowers / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D011523:Protoplasts; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques
D026342:AGAMOUS Protein, Arabidopsis; C419046:AGL20 protein, Arabidopsis; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C113192:LHY protein, Arabidopsis; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D010940:Plant Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors