Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors involved in abiotic stresses: A molecular model of a wheat bZIP factor and implications of its structure in function.
BACKGROUND
Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) genes encode transcription factors (TFs) that control important biochemical and physiological processes in plants and all other eukaryotic organisms.


METHODS
Here we present (i) the homo-dimeric structural model of bZIP consisting of basic leucine zipper and DNA binding regions, in complex with the synthetic Abscisic Acid-Responsive Element (ABREsyn); (ii) discuss homo- and hetero-dimerisation patterns of bZIP TFs; (iii) summarise the current progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of function of bZIP TFs, including features determining the specificity of their binding to DNA cis-elements, and (iv) review information on interaction partners of bZIPs during plant development and stress response, as well as on types and roles of post-translational modifications, and regulatory aspects of protein-degradation mediated turn-over. Finally, we (v) recapitulate on the recent advances regarding functional roles of bZIP factors in major agricultural crops, and discuss the potential significance of bZIP-based genetic engineering in improving crop yield and tolerance to abiotic stresses.


CONCLUSIONS
An accurate analysis and understanding of roles of plant bZIP TFs in different biological processes requires the knowledge of interacting partners, time and location of expression in plant organs, and the information on mechanisms of homo- and hetero-dimerisation of bZIP TFs.


CONCLUSIONS
Studies on molecular mechanisms of plant bZIP TFs at the atomic levels will provide novel insights into the regulatory processes during plant development, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses.
Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia.
Pradeep
P
Sornaraj
Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia.
Sukanya
S
Luang
Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia.
Sergiy
S
Lopato
Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia. Electronic address: maria.hrmova@adelaide.edu.au.
Maria
M
Hrmova
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D050976:Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D001709:Biotechnology; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000737:chemistry; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D063245:Plant Development; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D013312:Stress, Physiological
D050976:Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
14–3-3 proteins; Abiotic stress; DNA binding; Genetic engineering; Homo- and hetero-dimerisation; Kinases; Phytohormones; Plant development; Protein-protein interactions