The potato transcriptional co-activator StMBF1 is up-regulated in response to oxidative stress and interacts with the TATA-box binding protein

To gain a better understanding on the function of the potato Solanum tuberosum Multiprotein Bridging Factor 1 protein (StMBF1) its interaction with the TATA box binding protein (TBP) was demonstrated. In addition we reported that StMBF1 rescues the yeast mbf1 mutant phenotype, indicating its role as a plant co-activator. These data reinforce the hypothesis that MBF1 function is also conserved among non closely related plant species. In addition, measurement of StMBF1 protein level by Western blot using anti-StMBF1 antibodies indicated that the protein level increased upon H(2)O(2) and heat shock treatments. However, the potato beta-1,3-glucanase protein level was not changed under the same experimental conditions. These data indicate that StMBF1 participates in the cell stress response against oxidative stress allowing us to suggest that MBF1 genes from different plant groups may share similar functions.