Abstract
A novel WRKY-like transcription factor was isolated from a screen for weakly expressed mRNAs in ovules in the self-incompatible wild potato species Solanum chacoense Bitt. This protein, named ScWRKY1, consisted of 525 amino acids and can be classified as a WRKY group-I member, having two WRKY domains. It is expressed at low levels in stems, roots, and petals, and expressed at much higher levels in leaves. Interestingly, although barely detectable in developing seeds, it is strongly and transiently expressed in fertilized ovules bearing late torpedo-staged embryos, suggesting a specific role during embryogenesis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alexandrova KS, Conger BV (2002) Isolation of two somatic embryogenesis-related genes from orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata). Plant Sci 162:301–307
Chaudhury AM, Koltunow A, Payne T, Luo M, Tucker MR, Dennis ES, Peacock WJ (2001) Control of early seed development. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 17:677–699
Constabel CP, Brisson N (1992) The defense-related STH-2 gene product of potato shows race-specific accumulation after inoculation with low concentrations of Phytophthora infestans zoospores. Planta 188:289–295
Dong J, Chen C, Chen Z (2003) Expression profiles of the Arabidopsis WRKY gene superfamily during plant defense response. Plant Mol Biol 51:21–37
Eulgem T, Rushton PJ, Schmelzer E, Hahlbrock K, Somssich IE (1999) Early nuclear events in plant defence signalling: rapid gene activation by WRKY transcription factors. EMBO J 18:4689–4699
Eulgem T, Rushton PJ, Robatzek S, Somssich IE (2000) The WRKY superfamily of plant transcription factors. Trends Plant Sci 5:199–206
Hinderhofer K, Zentgraf U (2001) Identification of a transcription factor specifically expressed at the onset of leaf senescence. Planta 213:469–473
Huang T, Duman JG (2002) Cloning and characterization of a thermal hysteresis (antifreeze) protein with DNA-binding activity from winter bittersweet nightshade, Solanum dulcamara. Plant Mol Biol 48:339–350
Ishiguro S, Nakamura K (1994) Characterization of a cDNA encoding a novel DNA-binding protein, SPF1, that recognizes SP8 sequences in the 5′ upstream regions of genes coding for sporamin and beta-amylase from sweet potato. Mol Gen Genet 244:563–571
Johnson CS, Kolevski B, Smyth DR (2002) TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA 2, a trichome and seed coat development gene of Arabidopsis, encodes a WRKY transcription factor. Plant Cell 14:1359–1375
Jones JDG, Dunsmuir P, Bedbrook J (1985) High level expression of introduced chimeric genes in regenerated transformed plants. EMBO J 4:2411–2418
Kalde M, Barth M, Somssich IE, Lippok B (2003) Members of the Arabidopsis WRKY group III transcription factors are part of different plant defense signaling pathways. Mol Plant Microbe Interact 16:295–305
Li Z, Thomas TL (1998) PEI1, an embryo-specific zinc finger protein gene required for heart-stage embryo formation in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 10:383–398
Maeo K, Hayashi S, Kojima-Suzuki H, Morikami A, Nakamura K (2001) Role of conserved residues of the WRKY domain in the DNA-binding of tobacco WRKY family proteins. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 65:2428–2436
Matton DP, Brisson N (1989) Cloning, expression, and sequence conservation of pathogenesis-related gene transcripts of potato. Mol Plant Microbe Interact 2:325–331
Matton DP, Prescott G, Bertrand C, Camirand A, Brisson N (1993) Identification of cis-acting elements involved in the regulation of the pathogenesis-related gene STH-2 in potato. Plant Mol Biol 22:279–291
Pnueli L, Hallak-Herr E, Rozenberg M, Cohen M, Goloubinoff P, Kaplan A, Mittler R (2002) Molecular and biochemical mechanisms associated with dormancy and drought tolerance in the desert legume Retama raetam. Plant J 31:319–330
Raghavan V (1997) Molecular embryology of flowering plants. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
Reiter RS, Young RM, Scolnik PA (1992) Genetic linkage of the Arabidopsis genome: methods for mapping with recombinant inbreds and random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs). In: Koncz C, Chua N-H, Schell J (eds) Methods in Arabidopsis research. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore, pp 170–190
Rushton PJ, Somssich IE (1998) Transcriptional control of plant genes responsive to pathogens. Curr Opin Plant Biol 1:311–315
Rushton PJ, Torres JT, Parniske M, Wernert P, Hahlbrock K, Somssich IE (1996) Interaction of elicitor-induced DNA-binding proteins with elicitor response elements in the promoters of parsley PR1 genes. EMBO J 15:5690–5700
Sambrook J, Fritsch EF, Maniatis T (1989) Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and by Le Fonds pour la Formation des Chercheurs et l’Aide à la Recherce (FCAR-FQRNT, Québec). We thank Sier-Ching Chantha and Martin O’Brien for providing pictures of hand-dissected embryos. We also thank Gabriel Téodorescu for plant care and maintenance.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lagacé, M., Matton, D.P. Characterization of a WRKY transcription factor expressed in late torpedo-stage embryos of Solanum chacoense . Planta 219, 185–189 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-004-1253-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-004-1253-2