Premium
At MYB61, an R2R3‐MYB transcription factor, functions as a pleiotropic regulator via a small gene network
Author(s) -
Romano Julia M.,
Dubos Christian,
Prouse Michael B.,
Wilkins Olivia,
Hong Henry,
Poole Mervin,
Kang KyuYoung,
Li Eryang,
Douglas Carl J.,
Western Tamara L.,
Mansfield Shawn D.,
Campbell Malcolm M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04201.x
Subject(s) - regulator , biology , myb , transcription factor , xylem , arabidopsis , transcriptome , gene regulatory network , microbiology and biotechnology , phenotype , function (biology) , transcriptional regulation , gene , regulation of gene expression , genetics , arabidopsis thaliana , computational biology , mutant , botany , gene expression
Summary• Throughout their lifetimes, plants must coordinate the regulation of various facets of growth and development. Previous evidence has suggested that the Arabidopsis thaliana R2R3‐MYB, At MYB61, might function as a coordinate regulator of multiple aspects of plant resource allocation. • Using a combination of cell biology, transcriptome analysis and biochemistry, in conjunction with gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function genetics, the role of At MYB61 in conditioning resource allocation throughout the plant life cycle was explored. • In keeping with its role as a regulator of resource allocation, AtMYB61 is expressed in sink tissues, notably xylem, roots and developing seeds. Loss of AtMYB61 function decreases xylem formation, induces qualitative changes in xylem cell structure and decreases lateral root formation; in contrast, gain of AtMYB61 function has the opposite effect on these traits. At MYB61 coordinates a small network of downstream target genes, which contain a motif in their upstream regulatory regions that is bound by At MYB61, and At MYB61 activates transcription from this same motif. Loss‐of‐function analysis supports the hypothesis that AtMYB61 targets play roles in shaping subsets of AtMYB61 ‐related phenotypes. • Taken together, these findings suggest that At MYB61 links the transcriptional control of multiple aspects of plant resource allocation.