title: VIP1 is very important/interesting protein 1 regulating touch responses of Arabidopsis.
abstract: VIP1 (VIRE2-INTERACTING PROTEIN 1) is a bZIP transcription factor in Arabidopsis thaliana. VIP1 and its close homologs (i.e., Arabidopsis group I bZIP proteins) are present in the cytoplasm under steady conditions, but are transiently localized to the nucleus when cells are exposed to hypo-osmotic conditions, which mimic mechanical stimuli such as touch. Recently we have reported that overexpression of a repression domain-fused form of VIP1 represses the expression of some touch-responsive genes, changes structures and/or local auxin responses of the root cap cells, and enhances the touch-induced root waving. This raises the possibility that VIP1 suppresses touch-induced responses. VIP1 should be useful to further characterize touch responses of plants. Here we discuss 2 seemingly interesting perspectives about VIP1: (1) What factors are involved in regulating the nuclear localization of VIP1?; (2) What can be done to further characterize the physiological functions of VIP1 and other Arabidopsis group I bZIP proteins?
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Crop Physiology, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University , Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido , Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsugama
authors.affiliation: b Alkali Soil Natural Environmental Science Center, Northeast Forestry University , Xiangfang District, Harbin , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shenkui
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: c Asian Natural Environmental Science Center, The University of Tokyo , Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takano
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D050976:Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D021381:Protein Transport; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D050976:Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; C432104:VIP1 protein, Arabidopsis
keywords: Arabidopsis thaliana; bZIP transcription factor; calcium signaling; cell death; cell wall; hypo-osmotic stress; mechanical stimuli; protein phosphorylation; root cap; root waving