Comprehensive identification of Arabidopsis thaliana MYB transcription factors interacting with R/B-like BHLH proteins

In-depth analysis of protein-protein interaction specificities of the MYB protein family of Arabidopsis thaliana revealed a conserved amino acid signature ([DE]Lx(2)[RK]x(3)Lx(6)Lx(3)R) as the structural basis for interaction between MYB and R/B-like BHLH proteins. The motif has successfully been used to predict new MYB/BHLH interactions for A. thaliana proteins, it allows to discriminate between even closely related MYB proteins and it is conserved amongst higher plants. In A. thaliana, the motif is shared by fourteen R2R3 MYB proteins and six 1R MYB proteins. It is located on helices 1 and 2 of the R3 repeat and forms a characteristic surface-exposed pattern of hydrophobic and charged residues. Single-site mutation of any amino acid of the signature impairs the interaction. Two particular amino acids have been determined to account for most of the interaction stability. Functional specificity of MYB/BHLH complexes was investigated in vivo by a transient DFR promoter activation assay. Residues stabilizing the MYB/BHLH interaction were shown to be critical for promoter activation. By virtue of proved and predicted interaction specificities, this study provides a comprehensive survey of the MYB proteins that interact with R/B-like BHLH proteins potentially involved in the TTG1-dependent regulatory interaction network. The results are discussed with respect to multi-functionality, specificity and redundancy of MYB and BHLH protein function.     

Two distinct cis-acting elements are involved in light-dependent activation of the pea elip promoter

Light activation of the pea (Pisum sativum) elip gene promoter was analysed in transgenic plants and in transiently transfected plant protoplasts. A series of promoter deletions fused to the gusA reporter was tested, and the results obtained by the two experimental approaches were in good agreement. We identified two nucleotide sequence elements involved in light-regulated expression of the elip gene. One element is similar to the GT1 binding site of the rbcS-3A gene, and the other resembles a G-box-like ACGT element. The region containing both elements was able to confer light responsiveness on a heterologous basic promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that each element is specifically recognized by DNA-binding proteins present in nuclear extracts from pea seedlings. The G-box-like ACGT element is necessary but not sufficient for light inducibility, indicating that the two elements act together in confering light responsiveness.     

甜荞花青素合成相关基因FeR2R3-MYB的克隆与表达分析

MYB 是一类常见的转录因子,广泛参与植物花青素生物合成的调控。为探究 MYB转录因子在甜荞花青素生物合成中的调控作用,该研究从红花甜荞和白花甜荞转录组学数据中筛选并克隆出一个和花青素生物合成相关的MYB基因,将其命名为 FeR2R3-MYB,GenBank 登录号为 MT151381.1,并对该序列进行生物信息学分析,以及利用 qRT-PCR 分析FeR2R3-MYB基因在白花甜荞和红花甜荞中的表达特征。结果表明:(1)FeR2R3-MYB基因全长 831 bp,编码 276 个氨基酸,蛋白的相对分子质量为 30.95 kD,理论等电点(pI)为 8.73,蛋白的不稳定指数为 69.64,属于不稳定蛋白,总疏水值为-0.679,整条肽链呈现亲水特性。(2)FeR2R3-MYB 具有典型的 R2R3-MYB 结构域,属于 R2R3-MYB 亚家族。(3)FeR2R3-MYB 与同属蓼科的苦荞和虎杖亲缘关系比较近。(4)FeR2R3-MYB 的启动子序列共含有 9 个光照响应元件、17 个转录因子结合位点、4 个非生物响应元件和 2 个激素响应元件。(5)亚细胞定位发现 FeR2R3-MYB 只在细胞核中表达。(6)FeR2R3-MYB 基因的表达量在叶片和花序中红花甜荞均高于白花甜荞,推测 FeR2R3-MYB 基因可以正向调节甜荞花青素生物合成。综上所述,该研究结果为进一步深化 FeR2R3-MYB 基因在甜荞花青素生物合成途径中的功能及表达调控方面的研究提供了基础。