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Systemic low temperature signaling in Arabidopsis
Peter A Gorsuch1, Alexander W Sargeant, Steven D Penfield
1Department of Biology, University of York, PO Box 373, York YO105YW, UK.
Plant & Cell Physiology
|September 4, 2010
Summary
Localized cold exposure can trigger systemic responses in plants, inducing cold-acclimation genes in distant, warmer tissues. This suggests a plant-wide signaling system prepares developing leaves for potential cold stress.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Stress Response
Background:
- Cold exposure induces sugars and C-repeat binding factor (CBF) family transcription factors, alongside CBF-independent pathways, enhancing freezing tolerance.
- The systemic induction of cold-regulated genes by localized cold treatment remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether localized cold treatment can induce systemic expression of cold-regulated genes in Arabidopsis thaliana.
- To determine if a systemic signal mediates cold acclimation processes in plants.
Main Methods:
- Localized cold treatment (near 10 °C) applied to mature leaves of warm-grown Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) to analyze gene expression (CBF genes, COR targets, CBF-independent transcription factors).
- Luciferase reporter assay using a KIN2 promoter fusion in Arabidopsis thaliana (C24) to detect systemic signaling.
Main Results:
- Localized cold treatment induced expression of CBF genes, COR targets, and CBF-independent transcription factors in warm-maintained, conjoined leaves.
- CBF1 exhibited a strong systemic response, with CBF-independent factors also showing induction.
- The KIN2 promoter-luciferase system indicated a potential systemic signal from cold-treated leaves to warm-maintained tissues.
Conclusions:
- Cold acclimation processes are partially mediated by a systemic signal, suggesting a plant-wide response to localized cold stress.
- This systemic signaling acts as an early-warning system, potentially preparing developing leaves for future cold environments.
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