title: Arabidopsis AtERF71/HRE2 functions as transcriptional activator via cis-acting GCC box or DRE/CRT element and is involved in root development through regulation of root cell expansion.
abstract: AtERF71/HRE2 binds to GCC box or DRE/CRT as transcription activator and plays an important role in root development via root cell expansion regulation. AtERF71/HRE2 transcription factor, a member of the AP2/ERF family, plays a key role in the stress response. GCC box and DRE/CRT, both essential cis-acting elements, have been shown to be recognized by AP2/ERF family transcription factors. However, it remains unclear whether or not AtERF71/HRE2 directly interacts with GCC box and/or DRE/CRT. Here, we showed that AtERF71/HRE2 binds to GCC box and DRE/CRT by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Binding of AtERF71/HRE2 to GCC box and DRE/CRT was also detected by fluorescence measurement and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (BIAcore) experiments. Folding properties of AtERF71/HRE2 proteins were characterized by CD spectroscopy, and AtERF71/HRE2 showed thermal stability as evidenced by two endothermic peaks (T d) at 53 and 65 °C. In addition, AtERF71/HRE2 showed transcriptional activation activity via GCC box and DRE/CRT in Arabidopsis protoplasts. Interestingly, AtERF71/HRE2 OXs showed increased primary root length due to elevated root cell expansion. Our data indicate that AtERF71/HRE2 binds to both GCC box and DRE/CRT, transactivates expression of genes downstream via GCC box or DRE/CRT, and plays an important role in root development through regulation of root cell expansion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 609-735, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Hye-Yeon
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Seok
authors.forename: Vaishali N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Tarte
authors.forename: Mi Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Se Bok
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Yong-Hwan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D059372:Nucleotide Motifs; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D011523:Protoplasts; D036226:Seedlings / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C568479:AT2G47520 protein, Arabidopsis