title: Membrane rigidification functions upstream of the MEKK1-MKK2-MPK4 cascade during cold acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana.
abstract: The MEKK1-MKK2-MPK4 cascade is activated during cold acclimation. However, little is known regarding the perception of low temperature. In this study, we demonstrate that treatment of Arabidopsis with a membrane rigidifier, DMSO, caused MPK4 activation concomitantly with MEKK1 and MKK2 phosphorylation, as well as the cold-inducible gene COR15a expression. These processes are similar to the effects of cold treatment, whereas benzyl alcohol (BA), a membrane fluidizer, prevented such cold-induced events. Moreover, the DMSO-treated seedlings acquired freezing tolerance without cold acclimation. In contrast, the BA-pretreated seedlings did not show freezing tolerance. These results suggest that membrane rigidification activates this MAPK cascade and contributes to the acquisition of freezing tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furuya
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matsuoka
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan; Research Center for Environmental Genomics, Organization of Advanced Science and Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan. Electronic address: nanmori@kobe-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nanmori
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019905:Benzyl Alcohol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D058639:Cold-Shock Response; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D048728:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D036226:Seedlings / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C436292:AtMPK4 protein, Arabidopsis; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048728:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 1; C488959:MKK2 protein, Arabidopsis; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D019905:Benzyl Alcohol; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide
keywords: Benzyl alcohol; DMSO; Freezing tolerance; MAPK cascade; Membrane fluidity