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The transcriptional regulatorCPRF1: expression analysis and gene structure

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Abstract

Many eukaryotic DNA-binding proteins share a conserved amino acid sequence known as thebasic region leucinezipper (bZIP) domain. bZIP proteins recognise DNA, upon dimerization, in a sequence-specific manner. TheCommonPlantRegulatoryFactor 1 (CPRF1) is a bZIP transcription factor from parsley (Petroselinum crispum), which recognises defined elements containing ACGT cores.CPRF1 genomic DNA was cloned and the gene was sequenced. Analysis of the sequence data revealed the existence of 12 exons and 11 introns within a stretch of about 9 kb. A second RNA species hybridising toCPRF1 probes was identified as an alternatively spliced, additionalCPRF1 transcript containing intron 8. This polyadenylated RNA species showed accumulation characteristics very similar to those of theCPRF1 mRNA. CPRF1 specifically binds an ACGT-containing element which is located within the composite regulatory unit that is necessary and sufficient for light activation of the parsley chalcone synthase (CHS) minimal promoter. Expression studies at the mRNA level demonstrated thatCPRF1 mRNA is present in all organs of light-grown plants in whichCHS mRNA expression is detectable, and light-dependentCHS mRNA accumulation was shown to be blocked by cycloheximide. Therefore, translation of a protein factor, possibly CPRF1, may be a prerequisite forCHS promoter activation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Züchtungsforschung, Abteilung Biochemie, Carl-von-Linné-Weg 10, 50829, Köln, Germany

    M. Feldbrügge, K. Hahlbrock & B. Weisshaar

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  1. M. Feldbrügge
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  2. K. Hahlbrock
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  3. B. Weisshaar
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Communicated by H. Sacdler

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Feldbrügge, M., Hahlbrock, K. & Weisshaar, B. The transcriptional regulatorCPRF1: expression analysis and gene structure. Molec. Gen. Genet. 251, 619–627 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02174110

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02174110

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