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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
10:24
A Method for Characterizing Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis
Published on: August 4, 2017
The N-end rule pathway controls multiple functions during Arabidopsis shoot and leaf development
Emmanuelle Graciet1, Franziska Walter, Diarmuid S Ó'Maoiléidigh
1Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. graciete@tcd.ie
Summary
The N-end rule pathway controls plant development. Arabidopsis arginyl-tRNA-protein transferases (R-transferases) AtATE1 and AtATE2, along with N-recognin PRT6, regulate leaf and shoot growth by repressing the BREVIPEDICELLUS gene.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Proteolysis and protein degradation pathways
- Developmental biology
Background:
- The N-end rule pathway links protein half-life to N-terminal amino acid identity.
- This pathway is conserved across organisms but its function in plants is emerging.
- Key components include arginyl-tRNA-protein transferases (R-transferases) and N-recognins (E3 ubiquitin ligases).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the N-end rule pathway, specifically the arginylation branch, in Arabidopsis development.
- To identify the specific R-transferases and N-recognins involved in plant leaf and shoot development.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which this pathway regulates gene expression during leaf development.
Main Methods:
- Genetic analysis of Arabidopsis mutants lacking R-transferases (AtATE1, AtATE2) and N-recognin (PRT6).
- Phenotypic analysis of leaf and shoot development in wild-type and mutant plants.
- Gene expression analysis of the meristem-promoting BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP) gene.
Main Results:
- Arabidopsis R-transferases AtATE1 and AtATE2, and N-recognin PRT6, are crucial for leaf and shoot development.
- The arginylation branch of the N-end rule pathway represses BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP) gene expression in developing leaves.
- AtATE1 and AtATE2 function redundantly with ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (AS1) but independently of auxin in leaf development control.
Conclusions:
- The arginylation branch of the N-end rule pathway is essential for normal Arabidopsis leaf and shoot development.
- This pathway acts by repressing the BP gene, suggesting a role in preventing vegetative phase transition in leaves.
- The findings reveal a novel regulatory mechanism involving protein degradation pathways in plant organogenesis.
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