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The ANGUSTIFOLIA gene of Arabidopsis , a plant CtBP gene, regulates leaf‐cell expansion, the arrangement of cortical microtubules in leaf cells and expression of a gene involved in cell‐wall formation
Author(s) -
Kim GyungTae,
Shoda Keiko,
Tsuge Tomohiko,
Cho KiuHyung,
Uchimiya Hirofumi,
Yokoyama Ryusuke,
Nishitani Kazuhiko,
Tsukaya Hirokazu
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1093/emboj/21.6.1267
Subject(s) - biology , arabidopsis , gene , gene expression , microtubule , microbiology and biotechnology , regulation of gene expression , botany , genetics , mutant
We previously showed that the ANGUSTIFOLIA ( AN ) gene regulates the width of leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana , by controlling the polar elongation of leaf cells. In the present study, we found that the abnormal arrangement of cortical microtubules (MTs) in an leaf cells appeared to account entirely for the abnormal shape of the cells. It suggested that the AN gene might regulate the polarity of cell growth by controlling the arrangement of cortical MTs. We cloned the AN gene using a map‐based strategy and identified it as the first member of the CtBP family to be found in plants. Wild‐type AN cDNA reversed the narrow‐leaved phenotype and the abnormal arrangement of cortical MTs of the an‐1 mutation. In the animal kingdom, CtBPs self‐associate and act as co‐repressors of transcription. The AN protein can also self‐associate in the yeast two‐hybrid system. Furthermore, microarray analysis suggested that the AN gene might regulate the expression of certain genes, e.g. the gene involved in formation of cell walls, MERI5. A discussion of the molecular mechanisms involved in the leaf shape regulation is presented based on our observations.