Arabidopsis ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2) : roles in plant morphogenesis, cell division, and pathogenesis

Search this article

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The <jats:italic>ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>AS2</jats:italic>) gene in <jats:italic>Arabidopsis thaliana</jats:italic> is responsible for the development of flat, symmetric, and extended leaf laminae and their vein systems. AS2 protein is a member of the plant-specific AS2/LOB protein family, which includes 42 members comprising the conserved amino-terminal domain referred to as the AS2/LOB domain, and the variable carboxyl-terminal region. Among the members, <jats:italic>AS2</jats:italic> has been most intensively investigated on both genetic and molecular levels. AS2 forms a complex with the myb protein AS1, and is involved in epigenetic repression of the abaxial genes <jats:italic>ETTIN</jats:italic>/<jats:italic>AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR3</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>ETT</jats:italic>/<jats:italic>ARF3</jats:italic>), <jats:italic>ARF4</jats:italic>, and class 1 <jats:italic>KNOX</jats:italic> homeobox genes. The repressed expression of these genes by <jats:italic>AS2</jats:italic> is markedly enhanced by the cooperative action of various modifier genes, some of which encode nucleolar proteins. Further downstream, progression of the cell division cycle in the developing organs is stimulated; meristematic states are suppressed in determinate leaf primordia; and the extension of leaf primordia is induced. AS2 binds the specific sequence in exon 1 of <jats:italic>ETT</jats:italic>/<jats:italic>ARF3</jats:italic> and maintains methylated CpGs in several exons of <jats:italic>ETT</jats:italic>/<jats:italic>ARF3</jats:italic>. AS2 forms bodies (designated as AS2 bodies) at nucleolar peripheries. AS2 bodies partially overlap chromocenters, including inactive 45S ribosomal DNA repeats, suggesting the presence of molecular and functional links among AS2, the 45S rDNAs, and the nucleolus to exert the repressive regulation of <jats:italic>ETT</jats:italic>/<jats:italic>ARF3</jats:italic>. The AS2/LOB domain is characterized by three subdomains, the zinc finger (ZF) motif, the internally conserved-glycine containing (ICG) region, and the leucine-zipper-like (LZL) region. Each of these subdomains is essential for the formation of AS2 bodies. ICG to LZL are required for nuclear localization, but ZF is not. LZL intrinsically has the potential to be exported to the cytoplasm. In addition to its nuclear function, it has been reported that AS2 plays a positive role in geminivirus infection: its protein BV1 stimulates the expression of <jats:italic>AS2</jats:italic> and recruits AS2 to the cytoplasm, which enhances virus infectivity by suppression of cytoplasmic post transcriptional gene silencing.</jats:p>

Journal

Citations (1)*help

See more

References(51)*help

See more

Related Projects

See more

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top