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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

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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.

Abstract

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.

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Abbreviations

DRE/CRT:

Dehydration-responsive element/C-repeat

ERF:

Ethylene responsive factor

HRE:

Hypoxia responsive ERF

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (2012R1A1B3001815 and 2014R1A1A2009023) and by the Research Fund Program of Research Institute for Basic Sciences, Pusan National University, Korea, 2013, Project No. RIBS-PNU-2013-306.

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The authors have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 609-735, Korea

    Sun-Young Lee, Eun Young Hwang, Hye-Yeon Seok, Vaishali N. Tarte, Mi Suk Jeong, Se Bok Jang & Yong-Hwan Moon

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  1. Sun-Young Lee
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  2. Eun Young Hwang
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  3. Hye-Yeon Seok
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  4. Vaishali N. Tarte
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  5. Mi Suk Jeong
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  6. Se Bok Jang
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  7. Yong-Hwan Moon
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Se Bok Jang or Yong-Hwan Moon.

Additional information

Communicated by Youn-Il Park.

S.-Y. Lee and E.Y. Hwang equally contributed to this paper.

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Lee, SY., Hwang, E.Y., Seok, HY. et al. 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. Plant Cell Rep 34, 223–231 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-014-1701-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-014-1701-9

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