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The ethanol switch: a tool for tissue‐specific gene induction during plant development
Author(s) -
Deveaux Yves,
Peaucelle Alexis,
Roberts Gethin R.,
Coen Enrico,
Simon Rudiger,
Mizukami Yukiko,
Traas Jan,
Murray James A. H.,
Doonan John H.,
Laufs Patrick
Publication year - 2003
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.2003.01922.x
Subject(s) - gene , gene expression , biology , regulation of gene expression , meristem , pair rule gene , promoter , transcription factor , reporter gene , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , regulator gene
Summary Controlled gene expression in time and space is a powerful tool for the analysis of gene function during plant development. Here, we report ethanol inducible gene expression in defined sub‐domains of the shoot apical and floral meristems. For this, expression of an ethanol‐regulated transcription factor, ALCR, is restricted to precise domains using specific promoters. Gene expression activation is followed using reporters under the control of the alcA promoter, which responds to ALCR only in the presence of the ethanol. We demonstrate that precise control of spatially limited gene expression can be achieved. The kinetics of reporter gene activation and inactivation following a pulse of ethanol induction shows that the system is dynamic and suitable for precise temporal control of expression. The system is both flexible and robust, permitting simultaneous expression of two genes in a given domain or, conversely, the expression of a gene in two separate domains. We also show that this strategy can be applied to mis‐express genes with developmental roles, by manipulating expression of the SHOOT MERISTEMLESS ( STM ) and CYCLIN D3;1 ( CYCD3;1 ) genes during plant development.