Solution structure of an Arabidopsis WRKY DNA binding domain

SNPs in stress-responsive rice genes: validation, genotyping, functional relevance and population structure

Background

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) validation and large-scale genotyping are required to maximize the use of DNA sequence variation and determine the functional relevance of candidate genes for complex stress tolerance traits through genetic association in rice. We used the bead array platform-based Illumina GoldenGate assay to validate and genotype SNPs in a select set of stress-responsive genes to understand their functional relevance and study the population structure in rice.

Results

Of the 384 putative SNPs assayed, we successfully validated and genotyped 362 (94.3%). Of these 325 (84.6%) showed polymorphism among the 91 rice genotypes examined. Physical distribution, degree of allele sharing, admixtures and introgression, and amino acid replacement of SNPs in 263 abiotic and 62 biotic stress-responsive genes provided clues for identification and targeted mapping of trait-associated genomic regions. We assessed the functional and adaptive significance of validated SNPs in a set of contrasting drought tolerant upland and sensitive lowland rice genotypes by correlating their allelic variation with amino acid sequence alterations in catalytic domains and three-dimensional secondary protein structure encoded by stress-responsive genes. We found a strong genetic association among SNPs in the nine stress-responsive genes with upland and lowland ecological adaptation. Higher nucleotide diversity was observed in indica accessions compared with other rice sub-populations based on different population genetic parameters. The inferred ancestry of 16% among rice genotypes was derived from admixed populations with the maximum between upland aus and wild Oryza species.

Conclusions

SNPs validated in biotic and abiotic stress-responsive rice genes can be used in association analyses to identify candidate genes and develop functional markers for stress tolerance in rice.

DNA binding by the plant-specific NAC transcription factors in crystal and solution: a firm link to WRKY and GCM transcription factors

NAC (NAM/ATAF/CUC) plant transcription factors regulate essential processes in development, stress responses and nutrient distribution in important crop and model plants (rice, Populus, Arabidopsis), which makes them highly relevant in the context of crop optimization and bioenergy production. The structure of the DNA-binding NAC domain of ANAC019 has previously been determined by X-ray crystallography, revealing a dimeric and predominantly β-fold structure, but the mode of binding to cognate DNA has remained elusive. In the present study, information from low resolution X-ray structures and small angle X-ray scattering on complexes with oligonucleotides, mutagenesis and (DNase I and uranyl photo-) footprinting, is combined to form a structural view of DNA-binding, and for the first time provide experimental evidence for the speculated relationship between plant-specific NAC proteins, WRKY transcription factors and the mammalian GCM (Glial cell missing) transcription factors, which all use a β-strand motif for DNA-binding. The structure shows that the NAC domain inserts the edge of its core β-sheet into the major groove, while leaving the DNA largely undistorted. The structure of the NAC–DNA complex and a new crystal form of the unbound NAC also indicate limited flexibility of the NAC dimer arrangement, which could be important in recognizing suboptimal binding sites.

Structural models of protein-DNA complexes based on interface prediction and docking

Protein-DNA interactions are the physical basis of gene expression and DNA modification. Structural models that reveal these interactions are essential for their understanding. As only a limited number of structures for protein-DNA complexes have been determined by experimental methods, computation methods provide a potential way to fill the need. We have developed the DISPLAR method to predict DNA binding sites on proteins. Predicted binding sites have been used to assist the building of structural models by docking, either by guiding the docking or by selecting near-native candidates from the docked poses. Here we applied the DISPLAR method to predict the DNA binding sites for 20 DNA-binding proteins, which have had their DNA binding sites characterized by NMR chemical shift perturbation. For two of these proteins, the structures of their complexes with DNA have also been determined. With the help of the DISPLAR predictions, we built structural models for these two complexes. Evaluations of both the DNA binding sites for 20 proteins and the structural models of the two protein-DNA complexes against experimental results demonstrate the significant promise of our model-building approach.

Multiple-strategy analyses of ZmWRKY subgroups and functional exploration of ZmWRKY genes in pathogen responses

The WRKY transcription factor family plays crucial roles in biotic responses, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematode infections and insect attacks. In this article, multiple-strategy analyses of the three subgroups were performed in order to gain structural and evolutionary proofs of the overall WRKY family and unravel the functions possessed by each group or subgroup. Thus we analyzed the similarity of WRKY factors between maize and Arabidopsis based on homology modelling. The gene structure and motif analyses of Group II demonstrated that specific motifs existing in the given subgroups may contribute to the functional diversification of WRKY proteins and the two types of conserved intron splice sites suggest their evolutionary conservation. The evolutionary divergence time estimation of Group III proteins indicated that the divergence of Group III occurred during the Neogene period. Further, we focused on the roles of maize WRKYs in pathogen responses based on publicly available microarray experiments. The result suggested that some ZmWRKYs are expressed specifically under the infection of certain fungus, among which some are up-regulated and some are down-regulated, indicating their positive or negative roles in pathogen response. Also, some genes remain unchanged upon fungal infection. Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) analysis was performed using 62 fungal infection experiments to calculate the correlation between each pair of genes. A PCC value higher than 0.6 was regarded as strong correlation - in these circumstances, ninety pairs of genes showed a strong positive correlation, while fifteen pairs of genes displayed a strong negative correlation. These correlated genes form a co-regulatory network and help us investigate the existence of interactions between WRKY proteins.

Staphylococcal biofilm-forming protein has a contiguous rod-like structure

Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis form communities (called biofilms) on inserted medical devices, leading to infections that affect many millions of patients worldwide and cause substantial morbidity and mortality. As biofilms are resistant to antibiotics, device removal is often required to resolve the infection. Thus, there is a need for new therapeutic strategies and molecular data that might assist their development. Surface proteins S. aureus surface protein G (SasG) and accumulation-associated protein (S. epidermidis) promote biofilm formation through their "B" regions. B regions contain tandemly arrayed G5 domains interspersed with approximately 50 residue sequences (herein called E) and have been proposed to mediate intercellular accumulation through Zn(2+)-mediated homodimerization. Although E regions are predicted to be unstructured, SasG and accumulation-associated protein form extended fibrils on the bacterial surface. Here we report structures of E-G5 and G5-E-G5 from SasG and biophysical characteristics of single and multidomain fragments. E sequences fold cooperatively and form interlocking interfaces with G5 domains in a head-to-tail fashion, resulting in a contiguous, elongated, monomeric structure. E and G5 domains lack a compact hydrophobic core, and yet G5 domain and multidomain constructs have thermodynamic stabilities only slightly lower than globular proteins of similar size. Zn(2+) does not cause SasG domains to form dimers. The work reveals a paradigm for formation of fibrils on the 100-nm scale and suggests that biofilm accumulation occurs through a mechanism distinct from the "zinc zipper." Finally, formation of two domains by each repeat (as in SasG) might reduce misfolding in proteins when the tandem arrangement of highly similar sequences is advantageous.

Molecular phylogenetic and expression analysis of the complete WRKY transcription factor family in maize

The WRKY transcription factors function in plant growth and development, and response to the biotic and abiotic stresses. Although many studies have focused on the functional identification of the WRKY transcription factors, much less is known about molecular phylogenetic and global expression analysis of the complete WRKY family in maize. In this study, we identified 136 WRKY proteins coded by 119 genes in the B73 inbred line from the complete genome and named them in an orderly manner. Then, a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of five species was performed to explore the origin and evolutionary patterns of these WRKY genes, and the result showed that gene duplication is the major driving force for the origin of new groups and subgroups and functional divergence during evolution. Chromosomal location analysis of maize WRKY genes indicated that 20 gene clusters are distributed unevenly in the genome. Microarray-based expression analysis has revealed that 131 WRKY transcripts encoded by 116 genes may participate in the regulation of maize growth and development. Among them, 102 transcripts are stably expressed with a coefficient of variation (CV) value of <15%. The remaining 29 transcripts produced by 25 WRKY genes with the CV value of >15% are further analysed to discover new organ- or tissue-specific genes. In addition, microarray analyses of transcriptional responses to drought stress and fungal infection showed that maize WRKY proteins are involved in stress responses. All these results contribute to a deep probing into the roles of WRKY transcription factors in maize growth and development and stress tolerance.

Structural basis for sequence-specific DNA recognition by an Arabidopsis WRKY transcription factor

The WRKY family transcription factors regulate plant-specific reactions that are mostly related to biotic and abiotic stresses. They share the WRKY domain, which recognizes a DNA element (TTGAC(C/T)) termed the W-box, in target genes. Here, we determined the solution structure of the C-terminal WRKY domain of Arabidopsis WRKY4 in complex with the W-box DNA by NMR. A four-stranded β-sheet enters the major groove of DNA in an atypical mode termed the β-wedge, where the sheet is nearly perpendicular to the DNA helical axis. Residues in the conserved WRKYGQK motif contact DNA bases mainly through extensive apolar contacts with thymine methyl groups. The importance of these contacts was verified by substituting the relevant T bases with U and by surface plasmon resonance analyses of DNA binding.

WRKY transcription factors: key components in abscisic acid signalling

WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are key regulators of many plant processes, including the responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, senescence, seed dormancy and seed germination. For over 15 years, limited evidence has been available suggesting that WRKY TFs may play roles in regulating plant responses to the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA), notably some WRKY TFs are ABA-inducible repressors of seed germination. However, the roles of WRKY TFs in other aspects of ABA signalling, and the mechanisms involved, have remained unclear. Recent significant progress in ABA research has now placed specific WRKY TFs firmly in ABA-responsive signalling pathways, where they act at multiple levels. In Arabidopsis, WRKY TFs appear to act downstream of at least two ABA receptors: the cytoplasmic PYR/PYL/RCAR-protein phosphatase 2C-ABA complex and the chloroplast envelope-located ABAR-ABA complex. In vivo and in vitro promoter-binding studies show that the target genes for WRKY TFs that are involved in ABA signalling include well-known ABA-responsive genes such as ABF2, ABF4, ABI4, ABI5, MYB2, DREB1a, DREB2a and RAB18. Additional well-characterized stress-inducible genes such as RD29A and COR47 are also found in signalling pathways downstream of WRKY TFs. These new insights also reveal that some WRKY TFs are positive regulators of ABA-mediated stomatal closure and hence drought responses. Conversely, many WRKY TFs are negative regulators of seed germination, and controlling seed germination appears a common function of a subset of WRKY TFs in flowering plants. Taken together, these new data demonstrate that WRKY TFs are key nodes in ABA-responsive signalling networks.

Transcription regulation of abiotic stress responses in rice: a combined action of transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms

Plant growth and crop production are highly reduced by adverse environmental conditions and rice is particularly sensitive to abiotic stresses. Plants have developed a number of different mechanisms to respond and try to adapt to abiotic stress. Plant response to stress such as drought, cold, and high salinity, implies rapid and coordinated changes at transcriptional level of entire gene networks. During the last decade many transcription factors, belonging to different families, have been shown to act as positive or negative regulators of stress responsive genes, thus playing an extremely important role in stress signaling. More recently, epigenetic mechanisms have been also involved in the regulation of the stress responsive genes. In this review, we have performed a comprehensive analysis of the rice transcription factors reported so far as being involved in abiotic stress responses. The impact of abiotic stresses on epigenomes is also addressed. Finally, we update the connections made so far between DNA-binding transcription factors (TFs), and epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation and histones methylation or acetylation) emphasizing an integrative view of transcription regulation.

The transcription factor CrWRKY1 positively regulates the terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus

Catharanthus roseus produces a large array of terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) that are an important source of natural or semisynthetic anticancer drugs. The biosynthesis of TIAs is tissue specific and induced by certain phytohormones and fungal elicitors, indicating the involvement of a complex transcriptional control network. However, the transcriptional regulation of the TIA pathway is poorly understood. Here, we describe a C. roseus WRKY transcription factor, CrWRKY1, that is preferentially expressed in roots and induced by the phytohormones jasmonate, gibberellic acid, and ethylene. The overexpression of CrWRKY1 in C. roseus hairy roots up-regulated several key TIA pathway genes, especially Tryptophan Decarboxylase (TDC), as well as the transcriptional repressors ZCT1 (for zinc-finger C. roseus transcription factor 1), ZCT2, and ZCT3. However, CrWRKY1 overexpression repressed the transcriptional activators ORCA2, ORCA3, and CrMYC2. Overexpression of a dominant-repressive form of CrWRKY1, created by fusing the SRDX repressor domain to CrWRKY1, resulted in the down-regulation of TDC and ZCTs but the up-regulation of ORCA3 and CrMYC2. CrWRKY1 bound to the W box elements of the TDC promoter in electrophoretic mobility shift, yeast one-hybrid, and C. roseus protoplast assays. Up-regulation of TDC increased TDC activity, tryptamine concentration, and resistance to 4-methyl tryptophan inhibition of CrWRKY1 hairy roots. Compared with control roots, CrWRKY1 hairy roots accumulated up to 3-fold higher levels of serpentine. The preferential expression of CrWRKY1 in roots and its interaction with transcription factors including ORCA3, CrMYC2, and ZCTs may play a key role in determining the root-specific accumulation of serpentine in C. roseus plants.

The transcription factor CrWRKY1 positively regulates the terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus

Catharanthus roseus produces a large array of terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) that are an important source of natural or semisynthetic anticancer drugs. The biosynthesis of TIAs is tissue specific and induced by certain phytohormones and fungal elicitors, indicating the involvement of a complex transcriptional control network. However, the transcriptional regulation of the TIA pathway is poorly understood. Here, we describe a C. roseus WRKY transcription factor, CrWRKY1, that is preferentially expressed in roots and induced by the phytohormones jasmonate, gibberellic acid, and ethylene. The overexpression of CrWRKY1 in C. roseus hairy roots up-regulated several key TIA pathway genes, especially Tryptophan Decarboxylase (TDC), as well as the transcriptional repressors ZCT1 (for zinc-finger C. roseus transcription factor 1), ZCT2, and ZCT3. However, CrWRKY1 overexpression repressed the transcriptional activators ORCA2, ORCA3, and CrMYC2. Overexpression of a dominant-repressive form of CrWRKY1, created by fusing the SRDX repressor domain to CrWRKY1, resulted in the down-regulation of TDC and ZCTs but the up-regulation of ORCA3 and CrMYC2. CrWRKY1 bound to the W box elements of the TDC promoter in electrophoretic mobility shift, yeast one-hybrid, and C. roseus protoplast assays. Up-regulation of TDC increased TDC activity, tryptamine concentration, and resistance to 4-methyl tryptophan inhibition of CrWRKY1 hairy roots. Compared with control roots, CrWRKY1 hairy roots accumulated up to 3-fold higher levels of serpentine. The preferential expression of CrWRKY1 in roots and its interaction with transcription factors including ORCA3, CrMYC2, and ZCTs may play a key role in determining the root-specific accumulation of serpentine in C. roseus plants.

Construction and EST sequencing of full-length, drought stress cDNA libraries for common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

BACKGROUND

Common bean is an important legume crop with only a moderate number of short expressed sequence tags (ESTs) made with traditional methods. The goal of this research was to use full-length cDNA technology to develop ESTs that would overlap with the beginning of open reading frames and therefore be useful for gene annotation of genomic sequences. The library was also constructed to represent genes expressed under drought, low soil phosphorus and high soil aluminum toxicity. We also undertook comparisons of the full-length cDNA library to two previous non-full clone EST sets for common bean.

RESULTS

Two full-length cDNA libraries were constructed: one for the drought tolerant Mesoamerican genotype BAT477 and the other one for the acid-soil tolerant Andean genotype G19833 which has been selected for genome sequencing. Plants were grown in three soil types using deep rooting cylinders subjected to drought and non-drought stress and tissues were collected from both roots and above ground parts. A total of 20,000 clones were selected robotically, half from each library. Then, nearly 10,000 clones from the G19833 library were sequenced with an average read length of 850 nucleotides. A total of 4,219 unigenes were identified consisting of 2,981 contigs and 1,238 singletons. These were functionally annotated with gene ontology terms and placed into KEGG pathways. Compared to other EST sequencing efforts in common bean, about half of the sequences were novel or represented the 5' ends of known genes.

CONCLUSIONS

The present full-length cDNA libraries add to the technological toolbox available for common bean and our sequencing of these clones substantially increases the number of unique EST sequences available for the common bean genome. All of this should be useful for both functional gene annotation, analysis of splice site variants and intron/exon boundary determination by comparison to soybean genes or with common bean whole-genome sequences. In addition the library has a large number of transcription factors and will be interesting for discovery and validation of drought or abiotic stress related genes in common bean.

Genome-wide analysis of WRKY gene family in Cucumis sativus

BACKGROUND

WRKY proteins are a large family of transcriptional regulators in higher plant. They are involved in many biological processes, such as plant development, metabolism, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Prior to the present study, only one full-length cucumber WRKY protein had been reported. The recent publication of the draft genome sequence of cucumber allowed us to conduct a genome-wide search for cucumber WRKY proteins, and to compare these positively identified proteins with their homologs in model plants, such as Arabidopsis.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 55 WRKY genes in the cucumber genome. According to structural features of their encoded proteins, the cucumber WRKY (CsWRKY) genes were classified into three groups (group 1-3). Analysis of expression profiles of CsWRKY genes indicated that 48 WRKY genes display differential expression either in their transcript abundance or in their expression patterns under normal growth conditions, and 23 WRKY genes were differentially expressed in response to at least one abiotic stresses (cold, drought or salinity). The expression profile of stress-inducible CsWRKY genes were correlated with those of their putative Arabidopsis WRKY (AtWRKY) orthologs, except for the group 3 WRKY genes. Interestingly, duplicated group 3 AtWRKY genes appear to have been under positive selection pressure during evolution. In contrast, there was no evidence of recent gene duplication or positive selection pressure among CsWRKY group 3 genes, which may have led to the expressional divergence of group 3 orthologs.

CONCLUSIONS

Fifty-five WRKY genes were identified in cucumber and the structure of their encoded proteins, their expression, and their evolution were examined. Considering that there has been extensive expansion of group 3 WRKY genes in angiosperms, the occurrence of different evolutionary events could explain the functional divergence of these genes.

Heterologous expression of OsWRKY6 gene in Arabidopsis activates the expression of defense related genes and enhances resistance to pathogens

The WRKY proteins are a major family of plant transcription factors implicated in the regulation of plant defense mechanisms against pathogens. OsWRKY6 was isolated based on expression profiling data carried out with samples infected by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). OsWRKY6 encodes a DNA binding protein that contains one WRKY domain, a nuclear localization signal and C(2)H(2)-type zinc finger motif. OsWRKY6 is a member of the group II family of WRKY proteins. Based on the result of yeast one hybrid assay this OsWRKY6 protein binds to the typical W box ((T)TGACC/T). OsWRKY6 functions as a transcriptional activator in yeast. OsWRKY6 enhanced the expression of the reporter gene downstream of OsPR1 promoter, indicating that OsWRKY6 is a transcriptional activator in rice as well. Heterologous expression of OsWRKY6 enhanced disease resistance to pathogen. Defense-related genes were constitutively expressed in Arabidopsis transgenic lines overexpressing OsWRKY6. All together, OsWRKY6 functions as a positive transcriptional regulator of the plant defense response.

Prospecting for genes involved in transcriptional regulation of plant defenses, a bioinformatics approach

BACKGROUND

In order to comprehend the mechanisms of induced plant defense, knowledge of the biosynthesis and signaling pathways mediated by salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) is essential. Potentially, many transcription factors could be involved in the regulation of these pathways, although finding them is a difficult endeavor. Here we report the use of publicly available Arabidopsis microarray datasets to generate gene co-expression networks.

RESULTS

Using 372 publicly available microarray data sets, a network was constructed in which Arabidopsis genes for known components of SA, JA and ET pathways together with the genes of over 1400 transcription factors were assayed for co-expression. After determining the Pearson Correlation Coefficient cutoff to obtain the most probable biologically relevant co-expressed genes, the resulting network confirmed the presence of many genes previously reported in literature to be relevant for stress responses and connections that fit current models of stress gene regulation, indicating the potential of our approach. In addition, the derived network suggested new candidate genes and associations that are potentially interesting for future research to further unravel their involvement in responses to stress.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study large sets of stress related microarrays were used to reveal co-expression networks of transcription factors and signaling pathway components. These networks will benefit further characterization of the signal transduction pathways involved in plant defense.

A catalogue of eukaryotic transcription factor types, their evolutionary origin, and species distribution

Transcription factors (TFs) play key roles in the regulation of gene expression by binding in a sequence-specific manner to genomic DNA. In eukaryotes, DNA binding is achieved by a wide range of structural forms and motifs. TFs are typically classified by their DNA-binding domain (DBD) type. In this chapter, we catalogue and survey 91 different TF DBD types in metazoa, plants, fungi, and protists. We briefly discuss well-characterized TF families representing the major DBD superclasses. We also examine the species distributions and inferred evolutionary histories of the various families, and the potential roles played by TF family expansion and dimerization.

A structural view of the conserved domain of rice stress-responsive NAC1

The importance of NAC (named as NAM, ATAF1, 2, and CUC2) proteins in plant development, transcription regulation and regulatory pathways involving protein-protein interactions has been increasingly recognized. We report here the high resolution crystal structure of SNAC1 (stress-responsive NAC) NAC domain at 2.5 Å. Although the structure of the SNAC1 NAC domain shares a structural similarity with the reported structure of the ANAC NAC1 domain, some key features, especially relating to two loop regions which potentially take the responsibility for DNA-binding, distinguish the SNAC1 NAC domain from other reported NAC structures. Moreover, the dimerization of the SNAC1 NAC domain is demonstrated by both soluble and crystalline conditions, suggesting this dimeric state should be conserved in this type of NAC family. Additionally, we discuss the possible NAC-DNA binding model according to the structure and reported biological evidences.

Regulatory network identification by genetical genomics: signaling downstream of the Arabidopsis receptor-like kinase ERECTA

Gene expression differences between individuals within a species can be largely explained by differences in genetic background. The effect of genetic variants (alleles) of genes on expression can be studied in a multifactorial way by the application of genetical genomics or expression quantitative trait locus mapping. In this paper, we present a strategy to construct regulatory networks by the application of genetical genomics in combination with transcript profiling of mutants that are disrupted in single genes. We describe the network identification downstream of the receptor-like kinase ERECTA in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Extending genetical genomics on the Landsberg erecta/Cape Verde Islands (Ler/Cvi) recombinant inbred population with expression profiling of monogenic mutants enabled the identification of regulatory networks in the so far elusive ERECTA signal transduction cascade. We provide evidence that ERECTA is the causal gene for the major hotspot for transcript regulation in the Arabidopsis Ler/Cvi recombinant inbred population. We further propose additional genetic variation between Ler and Cvi in loci of the signaling pathway downstream of ERECTA and suggest candidate genes underlying these loci. Integration of publicly available microarray expression data of other monogenic mutants allowed us to link ERECTA to a downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade. Our study shows that microarray data of monogenic mutants can be effectively used in combination with genetical genomics data to enhance the identification of genetic regulatory networks.

Functional analysis of transcription factors in Arabidopsis

Transcription factors (TFs) regulate the expression of genes at the transcriptional level. Modification of TF activity dynamically alters the transcriptome, which leads to metabolic and phenotypic changes. Thus, functional analysis of TFs using 'omics-based' methodologies is one of the most important areas of the post-genome era. In this mini-review, we present an overview of Arabidopsis TFs and introduce strategies for the functional analysis of plant TFs, which include both traditional and recently developed technologies. These strategies can be assigned to five categories: bioinformatic analysis; analysis of molecular function; expression analysis; phenotype analysis; and network analysis for the description of entire transcriptional regulatory networks.

Functional genomics using RIKEN Arabidopsis thaliana full-length cDNAs

Full-length cDNAs are essential for the correct annotation of genomic sequences as well as for the functional analysis of genes and their products. We have isolated about 240,000 RIKEN Arabidopsis full-length (RAFL) cDNA clones. These clones were clustered into about 17,000 non-redundant cDNA groups, i.e., about 60% of all Arabidopsis predicted genes. The sequence information of the RAFL cDNAs is useful for promoter analysis, and for the correct annotation of predicted transcriptional units and gene products. We prepared cDNA microarrays containing independent full-length cDNA groups and studied the expression profiles of genes under various stress- and hormone-treatment conditions, and in various mutants and transgenic plants. These expression profiling studies have shown the expression levels of many genes as a detailed snapshot describing the state of a biological system in planta under various conditions. We have applied RAFL cDNAs to the functional analysis of proteins using the full-length cDNA over-expressing (FOX) gene hunting system and the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system. The RAFL cDNA collection was also used for determination of the domain structure of proteins by NMR. In this review, we summarize the present state and perspectives of functional genomics using RAFL cDNAs.

A novel WRKY-like protein involved in transcriptional activation of cyst wall protein genes in Giardia lamblia

Synthesis of a protective cyst wall is required for survival outside of the host and for infection of Giardia lamblia. Little is known of gene regulation of the cyst wall proteins (CWPs) during differentiation into dormant cysts. WRKY homologues constitute a large family of DNA-binding proteins in plants that are involved in several key cellular functions, including disease resistance, stress response, dormancy, and development. A putative wrky gene has been identified in the G. lamblia genome. We found that wrky expression levels increased significantly during encystation. The epitope-tagged WRKY was translocated into the nuclei during encystation. Recombinant WRKY specifically bound to its own promoter and the encystation-induced cwp1 and cwp2 promoters. WRKY contains several key residues for DNA binding, and mutation analysis revealed that its binding sequences are similar to those of the known plant WRKY proteins and that two of them are positive cis-acting elements of the wrky and cwp2 promoters. Overexpression of WRKY increased the cwp1-2 and myb2 mRNA levels, and these gene promoters were bound by WRKY in vivo. Interestingly, the wrky and cwp1-2 genes were up-regulated by ERK1 (extracellular signal-related kinase 1) overexpression, suggesting that WRKY may be a downstream component of the ERK1 pathway. In addition, a WRKY mutant that cannot enter nuclei and an ERK1 mutant lacking the predicted kinase domain showed decreased cwp1-2 gene expression. Our results suggest that the WRKY family has been conserved during evolution and that WRKY is an important transactivator of the cwp1-2 genes during G. lamblia differentiation into dormant cysts.

Analysis of the DDE motif in the Mutator superfamily

The eukaryotic Mutator family of transposable elements is widespread in plants. Active or potentially active copies are also found in fungi and protozoans, and sequences related to this family have been detected in metazoans as well. Members of this family are called Mutator-like elements (MULEs). They encode transposases, which contain a region conserved with transposases of the IS256 prokaryotic family, known to harbor a DDE catalytic domain. Different DDE or D34E motifs have been proposed in some groups of eukaryotic MULEs based on primary sequence conservation. On a large number of protein sequences related to, and representative of, all MULE families, we analyzed global conservation, the close environment of different acidic residues and the secondary structure. This allowed us to identify a potential DDE motif that is likely to be homologous to the one in IS256-like transposases. The characteristics of this motif are depicted in each known family of MULEs. Different hypotheses about the evolution of this triad are discussed.

Studies on DNA-binding selectivity of WRKY transcription factors lend structural clues into WRKY-domain function

WRKY transcription factors have been shown to play a major role in regulating, both positively and negatively, the plant defense transcriptome. Nearly all studied WRKY factors appear to have a stereotypic binding preference to one DNA element termed the W-box. How specificity for certain promoters is accomplished therefore remains completely unknown. In this study, we tested five distinct Arabidopsis WRKY transcription factor subfamily members for their DNA binding selectivity towards variants of the W-box embedded in neighboring DNA sequences. These studies revealed for the first time differences in their binding site preferences, which are partly dependent on additional adjacent DNA sequences outside of the TTGACY-core motif. A consensus WRKY binding site derived from these studies was used for in silico analysis to identify potential target genes within the Arabidopsis genome. Furthermore, we show that even subtle amino acid substitutions within the DNA binding region of AtWRKY11 strongly impinge on its binding activity. Additionally, all five factors were found localized exclusively to the plant cell nucleus and to be capable of trans-activating expression of a reporter gene construct in vivo.

Roles of Arabidopsis WRKY3 and WRKY4 transcription factors in plant responses to pathogens

BACKGROUND

Plant WRKY DNA-binding transcription factors are involved in plant responses to biotic and abiotic responses. It has been previously shown that Arabidopsis WRKY3 and WRKY4, which encode two structurally similar WRKY transcription factors, are induced by pathogen infection and salicylic acid (SA). However, the role of the two WRKY transcription factors in plant disease resistance has not been directly analyzed.

RESULTS

Both WRKY3 and WRKY4 are nuclear-localized and specifically recognize the TTGACC W-box sequences in vitro. Expression of WRKY3 and WRKY4 was induced rapidly by stress conditions generated by liquid infiltration or spraying. Stress-induced expression of WRKY4 was further elevated by pathogen infection and SA treatment. To determine directly their role in plant disease resistance, we have isolated T-DNA insertion mutants and generated transgenic overexpression lines for WRKY3 and WRKY4. Both the loss-of-function mutants and transgenic overexpression lines were examined for responses to the biotrophic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. The wrky3 and wrky4 single and double mutants exhibited more severe disease symptoms and support higher fungal growth than wild-type plants after Botrytis infection. Although disruption of WRKY3 and WRKY4 did not have a major effect on plant response to P. syringae, overexpression of WRKY4 greatly enhanced plant susceptibility to the bacterial pathogen and suppressed pathogen-induced PR1 gene expression.

CONCLUSION

The nuclear localization and sequence-specific DNA-binding activity support that WRKY3 and WRKY4 function as transcription factors. Functional analysis based on T-DNA insertion mutants and transgenic overexpression lines indicates that WRKY3 and WRKY4 have a positive role in plant resistance to necrotrophic pathogens and WRKY4 has a negative effect on plant resistance to biotrophic pathogens.

Soybean WRKY-type transcription factor genes, GmWRKY13, GmWRKY21, and GmWRKY54, confer differential tolerance to abiotic stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis plants

WRKY-type transcription factors have multiple roles in the plant defence response and developmental processes. Their roles in the abiotic stress response remain obscure. In this study, 64 GmWRKY genes from soybean were identified, and were found to be differentially expressed under abiotic stresses. Nine GmWRKY proteins were tested for their transcription activation in the yeast assay system, and five showed such ability. In a DNA-binding assay, three proteins (GmWRKY13, GmWRKY27 and GmWRKY54) with a conserved WRKYGQK sequence in their DNA-binding domain could bind to the W-box (TTGAC). However, GmWRKY6 and GmWRKY21, with an altered sequence WRKYGKK, lost the ability to bind to the W-box. The function of three stress-induced genes, GmWRKY13, GmWRKY21 and GmWRKY54, was further investigated using a transgenic approach. GmWRKY21-transgenic Arabidopsis plants were tolerant to cold stress, whereas GmWRKY54 conferred salt and drought tolerance, possibly through the regulation of DREB2A and STZ/Zat10. Transgenic plants over-expressing GmWRKY13 showed increased sensitivity to salt and mannitol stress, but decreased sensitivity to abscisic acid, when compared with wild-type plants. In addition, GmWRKY13-transgenic plants showed an increase in lateral roots. These results indicate that the three GmWRKY genes play differential roles in abiotic stress tolerance, and that GmWRKY13 may function in both lateral root development and the abiotic stress response.

OsWRKY62 is a negative regulator of basal and Xa21-mediated defense against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in rice

The rice Xa21 gene, which confers resistance to the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), encodes a receptor-like kinase. Few components involved in transducing the Xa21-mediated defense response have yet been identified. Here, we report that XA21 binds to a WRKY transcription factor, called OsWRKY62. The OsWRKY62 gene encodes two splice variants (OsWRKY62.1 and OsWRKY62.2). OsWRKY62.1:smGFP2 and OsWRKY62.2:smGFP2 fusion proteins partially localize to the nucleus. Transgenic plants overexpressing OsWRKY62.1 are compromised in basal defense and Xa21-mediated resistance to Xoo. Furthermore, overexpression of OsWRKY62.1 suppresses the activation of defense-related genes. These results imply that OsWRKY62 functions as a negative regulator of innate immunity in rice, and serves as a critical mediator of both basal and race-specific defense responses.

A Novel WRKY transcription factor is required for induction of PR-1a gene expression by salicylic acid and bacterial elicitors

PR-1a is a salicylic acid-inducible defense gene of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). One-hybrid screens identified a novel tobacco WRKY transcription factor (NtWRKY12) with specific binding sites in the PR-1a promoter at positions -564 (box WK(1)) and -859 (box WK(2)). NtWRKY12 belongs to the class of transcription factors in which the WRKY sequence is followed by a GKK rather than a GQK sequence. The binding sequence of NtWRKY12 (WK box TTTTCCAC) deviated significantly from the consensus sequence (W box TTGAC[C/T]) shown to be recognized by WRKY factors with the GQK sequence. Mutation of the GKK sequence in NtWRKY12 into GQK or GEK abolished binding to the WK box. The WK(1) box is in close proximity to binding sites in the PR-1a promoter for transcription factors TGA1a (as-1 box) and Myb1 (MBSII box). Expression studies with PR-1a promoterbeta-glucuronidase (GUS) genes in stably and transiently transformed tobacco indicated that NtWRKY12 and TGA1a act synergistically in PR-1a expression induced by salicylic acid and bacterial elicitors. Cotransfection of Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts with 35SNtWRKY12 and PR-1aGUS promoter fusions showed that overexpression of NtWRKY12 resulted in a strong increase in GUS expression, which required functional WK boxes in the PR-1a promoter.

Structures and evolutionary origins of plant-specific transcription factor DNA-binding domains

Plant-specific transcription factors are classified according to DNA-binding domains (DBDs) that were believed to be distinct from those of prokaryotes or other lineages of eukaryotes. Recently, structures of the DBDs including WRKY, NAC, B3, and SBP, which comprise major families of transcription factors, were determined by NMR spectroscopy or X-ray crystallography. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of structural biology in this field, especially on their DNA-binding mechanism and structural similarity to DBDs from other kingdoms. Unexpected structural relationships, together with recent identifications of homologous sequences in a variety of genomes, indicated that majority of the "plant-specific" DBDs originated from non-plant species, and that they largely expanded along with the evolution of higher plants.

Nitric oxide-responsive genes and promoters in Arabidopsis thaliana: a bioinformatics approach

Due to its high reactivity and its ability to diffuse and permeate the cell membrane, nitric oxide (NO) and its exchangeable redox-activated species are unique biological messengers in animals and in plants. Although an increasing number of reports indicate that NO is an essential molecule in several physiological processes, there is not a clear picture of its method of action. Studies on the transcriptional changes induced by NO permitted identification of genes involved in different functional processes such as signal transduction, defence and cell death, transport, basic metabolism, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and degradation. The co-expression of these genes can be explained by the co-operation of a set of transcription factors that bind a common region in the promoter of the regulated genes. The present report describes the search for a common transcription factor-binding site (TFBS) in promoter regions of NO-regulated genes, based on microarray analyses. Using Genomatix Gene2Promotor and MatInspector, eight families of TFBSs were found to occur at least 15% more often in the promoter regions of the responsive genes in comparison with the promoter regions of 28,447 Arabidopsis control genes. Most of these TFBSs, such as ocs element-like sequences and WRKY, have already been reported to be involved in particular stress responses. Furthermore, the promoter regions of genes involved in jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis were analysed for a common TFBS module, since some genes responsible for JA biosynthesis are induced by NO, and an interaction between NO and JA signalling has already been described.

A robust two-step PCR method of template DNA production for high-throughput cell-free protein synthesis

A two-step PCR method has been developed for the robust, high-throughput production of linear templates ready for cell-free protein synthesis. The construct made from the cDNA expresses a target protein region with N- and/or C-terminal tags. The procedure consists only of mixing, dilution, and PCR steps, and is free from cloning and purification steps. In the first step of the two-step PCR, a target region within the coding sequence is amplified using two gene-specific forward and reverse primers, which contain the linker sequences and the terminal sequences of the target region. The second PCR concatenates the first PCR product with the N- and C-terminal double-stranded fragments, which contain the linker sequences as well as the sequences for the tag(s) and the initiation and termination, respectively, for T7 transcription and ribosomal translation, and amplifies it with the universal primer. Proteins can be fused with a variety of tags, such as natural poly-histidine, glutathione-S-transferase, maltose-binding protein, and/or streptavidin-binding peptide. The two-step PCR method was successfully applied to 42 human target protein regions with various GC contents (38-77%). The robustness of the two-step PCR method against possible fluctuations of experimental conditions in practical use was explored. The second PCR product was obtained at 60-120 microg/ml, and was used without purification as a template at a concentration of 2-4 microg/ml in an Escherichia coli coupled transcription-translation system. This combination of two-step PCR with cell-free protein synthesis is suitable for the rapid production of proteins in milligram quantities for genome-scale studies.

Rumble in the nuclear jungle: compartmentalization, trafficking, and nuclear action of plant immune receptors

Plants and animals have evolved structurally related innate immune sensors inside cells to detect the presence of microbial molecules. An evolutionary ancient folding machinery becomes engaged for the synthesis of autorepressed receptor forms in both kingdoms. The receptors act as regulatory signal transduction switches and are activated upon direct or indirect perception of non-self structures. Recent findings indicate that nucleo-cytoplasmic partitioning and nuclear activity is critical for the function of several plant immune sensors, thereby linking receptor function to transcriptional reprogramming of host cells for pathogen defense. This implies short signalling pathways and reveals parallels with regulatory control mechanisms of animal steroid receptors.

Embryonic neural inducing factor churchill is not a DNA-binding zinc finger protein: solution structure reveals a solvent-exposed beta-sheet and zinc binuclear cluster

Churchill is a zinc-containing protein that is involved in neural induction during embryogenesis. At the time of its discovery, it was thought on the basis of sequence alignment to contain two zinc fingers of the C4 type. Further, binding of an N-terminal GST-Churchill fusion protein to a particular DNA sequence was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation selection assay, suggesting that Churchill may function as a transcriptional regulator by sequence-specific DNA binding. We show by NMR solution structure determination that, far from containing canonical C4 zinc fingers, the protein contains three bound zinc ions in novel coordination sites, including an unusual binuclear zinc cluster. The secondary structure of Churchill is also unusual, consisting of a highly solvent-exposed single-layer beta-sheet. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange and backbone relaxation measurements reveal that Churchill is unusually dynamic on a number of time scales, with the exception of regions surrounding the zinc coordinating sites, which serve to stabilize the otherwise unstructured N terminus and the single-layer beta-sheet. No binding of Churchill to the previously identified DNA sequence could be detected, and extensive searches using DNA sequence selection techniques could find no other DNA sequence that was bound by Churchill. Since the N-terminal amino acids of Churchill form part of the zinc-binding motif, the addition of a fusion protein at the N terminus causes loss of zinc and unfolding of Churchill. This observation most likely explains the published DNA-binding results, which would arise due to non-specific interaction of the unfolded protein in the immunoprecipitation selection assay. Since Churchill does not appear to bind DNA, we suggest that it may function in embryogenesis as a protein-interaction factor.

Networks of WRKY transcription factors in defense signaling

Members of the complex family of WRKY transcription factors have been implicated in the regulation of transcriptional reprogramming associated with plant immune responses. Recently genetic evidence directly proving their significance as positive and negative regulators of disease resistance has accumulated. WRKY genes were shown to be functionally connected forming a transcriptional network composed of positive and negative feedback loops and feed-forward modules. Within a web of partially redundant elements some WRKY factors hold central positions mediating fast and efficient activation of defense programs. A key mechanism triggering strong immune responses appears to be based on the inactivation of defense-suppressing WRKY proteins.

Improving cell-free protein synthesis for stable-isotope labeling

Cell-free protein synthesis is suitable for stable-isotope labeling of proteins for NMR analysis. The Escherichia coli cell-free system containing potassium acetate for efficient translation (KOAc system) is usually used for stable-isotope labeling, although it is less productive than other systems. A system containing a high concentration of potassium L-glutamate (L-Glu system), instead of potassium acetate, is highly productive, but cannot be used for stable-isotope labeling of Glu residues. In this study, we have developed a new cell-free system that uses potassium D-glutamate (D-Glu system). The productivity of the D-Glu system is approximately twice that of the KOAc system. The cross peak intensities in the 1H-15N HSQC spectrum of the uniformly stable-isotope labeled Ras protein, prepared with the D-Glu system, were similar to those obtained with the KOAc system, except that the Asp intensities were much higher for the protein produced with the D-Glu system. These results indicate that the D-Glu system is a highly productive cell-free system that is especially useful for stable-isotope labeling of proteins.

DNA binding mechanism revealed by high resolution crystal structure of Arabidopsis thaliana WRKY1 protein

WRKY proteins, defined by the conserved WRKYGQK sequence, are comprised of a large superfamily of transcription factors identified specifically from the plant kingdom. This superfamily plays important roles in plant disease resistance, abiotic stress, senescence as well as in some developmental processes. In this study, the Arabidopsis WRKY1 was shown to be involved in the salicylic acid signaling pathway and partially dependent on NPR1; a C-terminal domain of WRKY1, AtWRKY1-C, was constructed for structural studies. Previous investigations showed that DNA binding of the WRKY proteins was localized at the WRKY domains and these domains may define novel zinc-binding motifs. The crystal structure of the AtWRKY1-C determined at 1.6 A resolution has revealed that this domain is composed of a globular structure with five beta strands, forming an antiparallel beta-sheet. A novel zinc-binding site is situated at one end of the beta-sheet, between strands beta4 and beta5. Based on this high-resolution crystal structure and site-directed mutagenesis, we have defined and confirmed that the DNA-binding residues of AtWRKY1-C are located at beta2 and beta3 strands. These results provided us with structural information to understand the mechanism of transcriptional control and signal transduction events of the WRKY proteins.

Nuclear activity of MLA immune receptors links isolate-specific and basal disease-resistance responses

Plant immune responses are triggered by pattern recognition receptors that detect conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or by resistance (R) proteins recognizing isolate-specific pathogen effectors. We show that in barley, intracellular mildew A (MLA) R proteins function in the nucleus to confer resistance against the powdery mildew fungus. Recognition of the fungal avirulence A10 effector by MLA10 induces nuclear associations between receptor and WRKY transcription factors. The identified WRKY proteins act as repressors of PAMP-triggered basal defense. MLA appears to interfere with the WRKY repressor function, thereby de-repressing PAMP-triggered basal defense. Our findings reveal a mechanism by which these polymorphic immune receptors integrate distinct pathogen signals.

Cell-free synthesis of zinc-binding proteins

Cell-free protein synthesis has become one of the standard methods for protein expression. The cell-free method is suitable for the synthesis of a protein that requires a ligand for its enzymatic activity and/or structure formation and stabilization, since it is an open system, which allows us to add the proper ligand to the reaction mixture. A large number of proteins that require zinc for their function are involved in diverse cellular processes, including transcription, DNA replication, metabolism, and cell signaling. In this study, we analyzed the effects of zinc on the cell-free synthesis of plant-specific zinc-binding transcription factors. The solubility and/or stability of the proteins were significantly increased in the presence of the proper concentration of zinc during the cell-free reaction. NMR analyses confirmed that correctly folded proteins were synthesized by the cell-free method. These results indicate that the cell-free method can be used to synthesize correctly folded and functional zinc-binding proteins.

The natural history of the WRKY-GCM1 zinc fingers and the relationship between transcription factors and transposons

WRKY and GCM1 are metal chelating DNA-binding domains (DBD) which share a four stranded fold. Using sensitive sequence searches, we show that this WRKY–GCM1 fold is also shared by the FLYWCH Zn-finger domain and the DBDs of two classes of Mutator-like element (MULE) transposases. We present evidence that they share a stabilizing core, which suggests a possible origin from a BED finger-like intermediate that was in turn ultimately derived from a C2H2 Zn-finger domain. Through a systematic study of the phyletic pattern, we show that this WRKY–GCM1 superfamily is a widespread eukaryote-specific group of transcription factors (TFs). We identified several new members across diverse eukaryotic lineages, including potential TFs in animals, fungi and Entamoeba. By integrating sequence, structure, gene expression and transcriptional network data, we present evidence that at least two major global regulators belonging to this superfamily in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Rcs1p and Aft2p) have evolved from transposons, and attained the status of transcription regulatory hubs in recent course of ascomycete yeast evolution. In plants, we show that the lineage-specific expansion of WRKY–GCM1 domain proteins acquired functional diversity mainly through expression divergence rather than by protein sequence divergence. We also use the WRKY–GCM1 superfamily as an example to illustrate the importance of transposons in the emergence of new TFs in different lineages.

Birth and death of genes promoted by transposable elements in Oryza sativa

Despite a wide distribution of transposable elements (TEs) in the genomes of higher eukaryotes, much of their evolutionary significance remains unclear. Recent studies have indicated that TEs are involved with biological processes such as gene regulation and the generation of new exons in mammals. In addition, the completion of the genome sequencings in Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa has permitted scientist to describe a genome-wide overview in plants. In this study, we examined the positions of TEs in the genome of O. sativa. Although we found that more than 10% of the structural genes contained TEs, they were underrepresented in exons compared with non-exonic regions. TEs also appeared to be inserted preferentially in 3'-untranslated regions in exons. These results suggested that purifying selection against TE insertion has played a major role during evolution. Moreover, our comparison of the numbers of TEs in the protein-coding regions between single copy genes and duplicate genes showed that TEs were more frequent in duplicate than single copy genes. This observation indicated that gene duplication events created a large number of functionally redundant genes. Subsequently, many of them were destroyed by TEs because the redundant copies were released from purifying selection. Another biological role of TEs was found to be the recruitment of new exons. We found that approximately 2% of protein-coding genes contained TEs in their coding regions. Insertion of TEs in genic regions may have the potential to be an evolutionary driving force for the creation of new biological functions.

The transcription factors WRKY11 and WRKY17 act as negative regulators of basal resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Transcription factors are believed to play a pivotal role in the activation and fine-tuning of plant defense responses, but little is known about the exact function of individual transcription factors in this process. We analyzed the role of the IId subfamily of WRKY transcription factors in the regulation of basal resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (Pst). The expression of four members of the subfamily was induced upon challenge with virulent and avirulent strains of Pst. Mutant analyses revealed that loss of WRKY11 function increased resistance toward avirulent and virulent Pst strains and that resistance was further enhanced in wrky11 wrky17 double mutant plants. Thus, WRKY11 and WRKY17 act as negative regulators of basal resistance to Pst. Genome-wide expression analysis and expression studies of selected genes in single and double mutants demonstrated that both transcription factors modulate transcriptional changes in response to pathogen challenge. Depending on the target gene, WRKY11 and WRKY17 act either specifically or in a partially redundant manner. We demonstrate complex cross-regulation within the IId WRKY subfamily and provide evidence that both WRKY transcription factors are involved in the regulation of Pst-induced jasmonic acid-dependent responses. These results provide genetic evidence for the importance of WRKY11 and WRKY17 in plant defense.

Transcription factor families in Arabidopsis: major progress and outstanding issues for future research

Transcription factors (TFs) are a group of proteins that control cellular processes by regulating the expression of downstream target genes. Recent progress has been made in the cloning and characterization of Arabidopsis TFs on the genome scale, especially on the cloning of open reading frames (ORFs), sequence analysis and the expression profiling of different TF families. Huge difference in numbers of subfamily members were found for Arabidopsis MYB, C2H2 (Zn), C3H-type 1 (Zn), C3H-type 2 (Zn) TFs by independent research groups, mainly because of differences in bioinformatic search stringency. However, the Arabidopsis and rice genomes contain very different numbers of TFs in the WRKY, NAC, bZIP, MADS, ALFIN-like, GRAS and C2C2 (Zn)-dof families, indicating a possible divergence of biological functions from dicots to monocots. TFs have also been found to play key roles in the biosynthesis and signaling of plant hormones, in cell growth and differentiation, and in photomorphogenesis.

Understanding the cell in terms of structure and function: insights from structural genomics

Structural genomics programs are only now moving into the large-scale production phase, yet have already produced around 2000 protein structures. Through a widespread if not exclusive emphasis on structural novelty, our knowledge of the protein fold universe is improving rapidly. With this information comes the challenge of structure-based function annotation for the many target proteins about which little or nothing is known. Recent years have therefore seen the emergence of impressively diverse bioinformatics approaches to predict the function of a protein structure. Attention is now turning to means of combining these predictions with information from various other sources.

Interactions of two abscisic-acid induced WRKY genes in repressing gibberellin signaling in aleurone cells

Gibberellins (GA) promote while abscisic acid (ABA) inhibits seed germination and post-germination growth. To address the cross-talk of GA and ABA signaling, we studied two rice WRKY genes (OsWRKY51 and OsWRKY71) that are ABA-inducible and GA-repressible in embryos and aleurone cells. Over-expression of these two genes in aleurone cells specifically and synergistically represses induction of the ABA-repressible and GA-inducible Amy32b alpha-amylase promoter reporter construct (Amy32b-GUS) by GA or the GA-inducible transcriptional activator, GAMYB. The physical interactions of OsWRKY71 proteins themselves and that of OsWRKY71 and OsWRKY51 are revealed in the nuclei of aleurone cells using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. Although OsWRKY51 itself does not bind to the Amy32b promoter in vitro, it interacts with OsWRKY71 and enhances the binding affinity of OsWRKY71 to W boxes in the Amy32b promoter. The binding activity of OsWRKY71 is abolished by deleting the C-terminus containing the WRKY domain or substituting the key amino acids in the WRKY motif and the zinc finger region. However, two of these non-DNA-binding mutants are still able to repress GA induction by enhancing the binding affinity of the wild-type DNA-binding OsWRKY71 repressors. In contrast, the third non-DNA-binding mutant enhances GA induction of Amy32b-GUS, by interfering with the binding of the wild-type OsWRKY71 or the OsWRKY71/OsWRKY51 repressing complex. These data demonstrate the synergistic interaction of ABA-inducible WRKY genes in regulating GAMYB-mediated GA signaling in aleurone cells, thereby establishing a novel mechanism for ABA and GA signaling cross-talk.

Rice domestication by reducing shattering

Crop domestication frequently began with the selection of plants that did not naturally shed ripe fruits or seeds. The reduction in grain shattering that led to cereal domestication involved genetic loci of large effect. The molecular basis of this key domestication transition, however, remains unknown. Here we show that human selection of an amino acid substitution in the predicted DNA binding domain encoded by a gene of previously unknown function was primarily responsible for the reduction of grain shattering in rice domestication. The substitution undermined the gene function necessary for the normal development of an abscission layer that controls the separation of a grain from the pedicel.

Survey of the year 2005 commercial optical biosensor literature

We identified 1113 articles (103 reviews, 1010 primary research articles) published in 2005 that describe experiments performed using commercially available optical biosensors. While this number of publications is impressive, we find that the quality of the biosensor work in these articles is often pretty poor. It is a little disappointing that there appears to be only a small set of researchers who know how to properly perform, analyze, and present biosensor data. To help focus the field, we spotlight work published by 10 research groups that exemplify the quality of data one should expect to see from a biosensor experiment. Also, in an effort to raise awareness of the common problems in the biosensor field, we provide side-by-side examples of good and bad data sets from the 2005 literature.

A single amino acid insertion in the WRKY domain of the Arabidopsis TIR-NBS-LRR-WRKY-type disease resistance protein SLH1 (sensitive to low humidity 1) causes activation of defense responses and hypersensitive cell death

In this study we characterized the sensitive to low humidity 1 (slh1) mutant of Arabidopsis ecotype No-0 which exhibits normal growth on agar plate medium but which on transfer to soil shows growth arrest and development of necrotic lesions. cDNA microarray hybridization and RNA gel blot analysis revealed that genes associated with activation of disease resistance were upregulated in the slh1 mutants in response to conditions of low humidity. Furthermore, the slh1 mutants accumulate callose, autofluorescent compounds and salicylic acid (SA). We demonstrate that SA is required for the slh1 phenotype but not PAD4 or NPR1. SLH1 was isolated by map-based cloning and it encodes a resistance (R)-like protein consisting of a domain with Toll and interleukin-1 receptor homology (TIR), a nucleotide-binding domain (NB), leucine-rich repeats (LRR) and a carboxy-terminal WRKY domain. SLH1 is identical to the R gene RRS1-R of the Arabidopsis ecotype Nd-1, a gene which confers resistance to the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum GMI1000 and also functions as an R gene to this pathogen in No-0. We identified a 3 bp insertion mutation in slh1 that results in the addition of a single amino acid in the WRKY domain; thereby impairing its DNA-binding activity. Our data suggest that SLH1 disease resistance signaling may be negatively regulated by its WRKY domain in the R protein and that the constitutive defense activation conferred by the slh1 mutation is inhibited by conditions of high humidity.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the C-terminal WRKY domain of Arabidopsis thaliana WRKY1 transcription factor

The C-terminal WRKY domain of Arabidopsis thaliana WRKY1 protein, a transcription factor, was cloned and expressed. The expressed protein was then purified and crystallized. The preliminary X-ray analysis was undertaken. The crystal diffracted to 2.50 A resolution in-house and belongs to space group P2(1) with unit-cell parameters a=64.10 A, b=34.88 A, c=114.72 A, beta=90.49 degrees .