In vivo imaging of MADS-box transcription factor interactions

J Exp Bot. 2006;57(1):33-42. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erj011. Epub 2005 Nov 16.

Abstract

MADS-box transcription factors are major regulators of development in flowering plants. The factors act in a combinatorial manner, either as homo- or heterodimers, and they control floral organ formation and identity and many other developmental processes through a complex network of protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. Despite the fact that many studies have been carried out to elucidate MADS-box protein dimerization by yeast systems, very little information is available on the behaviour of these molecules in planta. Here, evidence for specific interactions between the petunia MADS-box proteins FBP2, FBP11, and FBP24 is provided in vivo. The dimers identified in yeast for the ovule-specific FBP24 protein have been confirmed in living plant cells by means of fluorescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and, in addition, some of the most likely, less stable homo- and heterodimers were identified. This in vivo approach revealed that particular dimers could only be detected in specific sub-nuclear domains. In addition, evidence for the in planta assembly of these ovule-specific MADS-box transcription factors into higher-order complexes is provided.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding, Competitive
  • Dimerization
  • Fabaceae / physiology
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • MADS Domain Proteins / analysis
  • MADS Domain Proteins / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry
  • Petunia / physiology*
  • Plant Proteins / analysis
  • Plant Proteins / physiology*
  • Protoplasts
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Yeasts

Substances

  • MADS Domain Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Plant Proteins