Abscisic acid regulates TSRF1-mediated resistance to Ralstonia solanacearum by modifying the expression of GCC box-containing genes in tobacco

Although recent studies have established a significant regulatoryrole for abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene response factor (ERF)proteins in plant pathogen resistance, it is not clear whetherand how ABA performs this role. Previously, it was reportedthat an ERF protein, TSRF1, activates the expression of GCCbox-containing genes and significantly enhances the resistanceto Ralstonia solanacearum in both tobacco and tomato plants.Here, it is reported that TSRF1-regulated pathogen resistanceis modified by ABA application. TSRF1 activates the expressionof ABA biosynthesis-related genes, resulting in the increaseof ABA biosynthesis, which further stimulates ethylene production.More interestingly, ABA application decreases, while the inhibitorof ABA biosynthesis fluridone increases, the TSRF1-enhancedresistance to R. solanacearum. This observation is further supportedby the finding that ABA and fluridone reversibly modify theability of TSRF1 to bind the ethylene-responsive GCC box, consequentlyaltering the expression of element-controlled genes. These resultstherefore establish that TSRF1-regulated resistance to R. solanacearumcan be modified in tobacco by ABA. Key words: Abscisic acid, ERF protein TSRF1, GCC box-containing genes, Ralstonia solanacearum, tobacco     

Mutual regulation of Arabidopsis thaliana ethylene-responsive element binding protein and a plant floral homeotic gene, APETALA2

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It has previously been shown that Arabidopsis thaliana ethylene-responsive element binding protein (AtEBP) contributed to resistance to abiotic stresses. Interestingly, it has also been reported that expression of ethylene-responsive factor (ERF) genes including AtEBP were regulated by the activity of APETALA2 (AP2), a floral homeotic factor. AP2 is known to regulate expression of several floral-specific homeotic genes such as AGAMOUS. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between AP2 and AtEBP in gene expression. METHODS: Northern blot analysis was performed on ap2 mutants, ethylene-related Arabidopsis mutants and transgenic Arabidopsis plants over-expressing AtEBP, and a T-DNA insertional mutant of AtEBP. Phenotypic analysis of these plants was performed. KEY RESULTS: Expression levels of ERF genes such as AtEBP and AtERF1 were increased in ap2 mutants. Over-expression of AtEBP caused upregulation of AP2 expression in leaves. AP2 expression was suppressed by the null-function of ethylene-insensitive2 (EIN2), although AP2 expression was not affected by ethylene treatment. Loss of AtEBP function slightly reduced the average number of stamens. CONCLUSIONS: AP2 and AtEBP are mutually regulated in terms of gene expression. AP2 expression was affected by EIN2 but was not regulated by ethylene treatment.