title: OsTZF1, a CCCH-tandem zinc finger protein, confers delayed senescence and stress tolerance in rice by regulating stress-related genes.
abstract: OsTZF1 is a member of the CCCH-type zinc finger gene family in rice (Oryza sativa). Expression of OsTZF1 was induced by drought, high-salt stress, and hydrogen peroxide. OsTZF1 gene expression was also induced by abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, and salicylic acid. Histochemical activity of β-glucuronidase in transgenic rice plants containing the promoter of OsTZF1 fused with β-glucuronidase was observed in callus, coleoptile, young leaf, and panicle tissues. Upon stress, OsTZF1-green fluorescent protein localization was observed in the cytoplasm and cytoplasmic foci. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsTZF1 driven by a maize (Zea mays) ubiquitin promoter (Ubi:OsTZF1-OX [for overexpression]) exhibited delayed seed germination, growth retardation at the seedling stage, and delayed leaf senescence. RNA interference (RNAi) knocked-down plants (OsTZF1-RNAi) showed early seed germination, enhanced seedling growth, and early leaf senescence compared with controls. Ubi:OsTZF1-OX plants showed improved tolerance to high-salt and drought stresses and vice versa for OsTZF1-RNAi plants. Microarray analysis revealed that genes related to stress, reactive oxygen species homeostasis, and metal homeostasis were regulated in the Ubi:OsTZF1-OX plants. RNA-binding assays indicated that OsTZF1 binds to U-rich regions in the 3' untranslated region of messenger RNAs, suggesting that OsTZF1 might be associated with RNA metabolism of stress-responsive genes. OsTZF1 may serve as a useful biotechnological tool for the improvement of stress tolerance in various plants through the control of RNA metabolism of stress-responsive genes.
authors.affiliation: Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan.
authors.forename: Asad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: Kyonoshin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Todaka
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kidokoro
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abo
authors.forename: Etsuro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shinozaki
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.forename: Kazuko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi-Shinozaki
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D012275:Oryza / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D034622:RNA Interference; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D059467:Transcriptome / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D010455:Peptides; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D010940:Plant Proteins; D018749:RNA, Plant; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012965:Sodium Chloride