title: ZAT11, a zinc finger transcription factor, is a negative regulator of nickel ion tolerance in Arabidopsis.
abstract: ZAT11, a Zinc Finger of Arabidopsis Thaliana 11, is a dual-function transcriptional regulator that positively regulates primary root growth but negatively regulates Ni (2+) tolerance. Zinc Finger of Arabidopsis Thaliana 11 (ZAT11) is a C2H2-type zinc finger protein that has been reported to function as an active transcriptional repressor. However, the biological function of ZAT11 remains unknown. Here we show that GFP-tagged ZAT11 is targeted to the nucleus. Analysis of plants expressing ZAT11 promoter-GUS showed that ZAT11 is highly expressed in roots and particularly in root tips. To identify the biological function of ZAT11, we constructed three independent lines of ZAT11 overexpressing transgenic plant (ZAT11 OE). ZAT11 OE enhanced the elongation of primary root but reduced the metal tolerance against nickel ion (Ni(2+)). The reduced Ni(2+) tolerance of ZAT11 OE was correlated with decreased accumulation of Ni(2+) in plants. The decreased accumulation of Ni(2+) in ZAT11 OE was caused by the reduced transcription of a vacuolar Ni(2+) transporter gene. Taken together, our results suggest that ZAT11 is a dual function transcriptional regulator that positively regulates primary root growth but negatively regulates Ni(2+) tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus Program), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Xiao-Min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jonguk
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Hay Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sun Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chae Oh
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Dae-Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Woo Sik
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009532:Nickel / Q000633:toxicity*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016335:Zinc Fingers
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C000599217:ZAT11 protein, Arabidopsis; D009532:Nickel