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Plant Promoter Analysis: Identification and Characterization of Root Nodule Specific Promoter in the Common Bean
Published on: December 23, 2017
Bipartite promoter element required for auxin response
Cristina L Walcher1, Jennifer L Nemhauser
1Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-1800, USA.
Plant Physiology
|November 22, 2011
Summary
Plant hormones auxin and brassinosteroids coordinate gene expression through specific DNA elements. This study identifies critical promoter regions and transcription factors involved in the SMALL AUXIN-UP RNA15 (SAUR15) gene response.
Area of Science:
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Plant Hormone Signaling
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Coordination between auxin and brassinosteroid signaling pathways is crucial for plant development.
- The precise molecular mechanisms underlying the interplay between these hormone responses remain incompletely understood.
- The auxin transcriptional response's dependence on a functional brassinosteroid pathway presents a key research question.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cis-regulatory elements and transcription factors mediating the response of the SMALL AUXIN-UP RNA15 (SAUR15) gene to auxin and brassinosteroids.
- To elucidate the molecular basis for the cross-talk between auxin and brassinosteroid signaling pathways.
- To identify critical DNA sequences and protein interactions essential for hormone-induced gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized luciferase reporter assays to analyze the promoter activity of the SAUR15 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Identified a minimal promoter region responsive to auxin.
- Performed targeted mutagenesis of predicted cis-regulatory elements within the minimal promoter region.
- Assessed transcription factor binding using electrophoretic mobility shift assays or similar techniques.
Main Results:
- A minimal promoter region of SAUR15 was identified, sufficient for both auxin and brassinosteroid response.
- Two critical cis-regulatory elements, a Hormone Up at Dawn (HUD)-type E-box and an AuxRE-related TGTCT element, were found essential for hormone signaling.
- BRASSINOID INSENSITIVE1-EMS SUPPRESSOR1 and MONOPTEROS (MP)/AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR5 (ARF5) transcription factors demonstrated enhanced binding to the critical promoter region.
- Auxin and brassinosteroid treatments modulated the binding of these transcription factors, with brassinosteroid enhancement of MP/ARF5 binding dependent on the HUD element.
- Conserved clustered HUD and AuxRE-related elements were observed in SAUR15 orthologs across multiple plant species.
Conclusions:
- The SAUR15 gene promoter contains critical cis-regulatory elements (HUD and AuxRE) that integrate auxin and brassinosteroid signaling.
- Coordinated binding of transcription factors BRASSINOID INSENSITIVE1-EMS SUPPRESSOR1 and MP/ARF5 to these elements is essential for hormone response.
- The findings highlight a conserved mechanism for cross-talk between auxin and brassinosteroid pathways in plants.
- This study provides molecular insights into how plants integrate hormonal signals for transcriptional regulation.
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