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Arabidopsis TAF 1 is an MRE 11‐interacting protein required for resistance to genotoxic stress and viability of the male gametophyte
Author(s) -
Waterworth Wanda M.,
Drury Georgina E.,
BlundellHunter George,
West Christopher E.
Publication year - 2015
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 - 10.1111/tpj.13020
Subject(s) - biology , arabidopsis , genetics , homologous recombination , ku70 , dna repair , microbiology and biotechnology , mutant , gene
Summary Repair of DNA double‐strand breaks ( DSB s) by recombination pathways is essential for plant growth and fertility. The recombination endonuclease MRE 11 plays important roles in sensing and repair of DNA DSB s. Here we demonstrate protein interaction between Arabidopsis MRE 11 and the histone acetyltransferase TAF 1, a TATA ‐binding protein Associated Factor ( TAF ) of the RNA polymerase II transcription initiation factor complex TFIID . Arabidopsis has two TAF 1 homologues termed TAF 1 and TAF 1b and mutant taf1b lines are viable and fertile. In contrast, taf1 null mutations are lethal, demonstrating that TAF 1 is an essential gene. Heterozygous taf1 +/− plants display abnormal segregation of the mutant allele resulting from defects in pollen tube development, indicating that TAF 1 is important for gamete viability. Characterization of an allelic series of taf1 lines revealed that hypomorphic mutants are viable but display developmental defects and reduced plant fertility. Hypersensitivity of taf1 mutants lacking the C‐terminal bromodomain to X‐rays and mitomycin C, but not to other forms of abiotic stress, established a specific role for TAF 1 in plant DNA repair processes. Collectively these studies reveal a function for TAF 1 in plant resistance to genotoxic stress, providing further insight into the molecular mechanisms of the DNA damage response in plants.