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The Arabidopsis Athb‐2 and ‐4 genes are strongly induced by far‐red‐rich light
Author(s) -
Carabelli Monica,
Sessa Giovanna,
Baima Simona,
Morelli Giorgio,
Ruberti Ida
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-313x.1993.04030469.x
Subject(s) - arabidopsis , gene , arabidopsis thaliana , biology , gene family , coding region , genetics , genome , messenger rna , far red , gene expression , botany , red light , mutant
The isolation and characterization of the Athb‐2 gene, which codes for a HD‐Zip protein in Arabidopsis thaliana is reported. Interestingly, Southern analysis has established that the Arabidopsis genome contains sequences which are highly related to the Athb‐2 HD‐Zip coding region. One of these genes, designated Athb‐4 , has been cloned and partially sequenced. Amino acid sequence comparison revealed that Athb‐2 and −4 are members of a small family of HD‐Zip related proteins. Athb‐2 mRNA analysis showed that this gene is expressed during the vegetative and reproductive phases of plant growth. A significant increment in the amount of Athb‐2 transcripts was observed in flowering plants. A higher steady‐state level of the Athb‐2 mRNA was also found in dark‐adapted plants. Remarkably, far‐red‐rich light treatment of Arabidopsis plants results in a rapid and strong induction of the Athb‐2 expression. This light treatment also induces the accumulation of Athb‐4 transcripts, suggesting a similar role for the two members of this HD‐Zip family.