14-3-3 proteins regulate intracellular localization of the bZIP transcriptional activator RSG

Plant Cell. 2001 Nov;13(11):2483-97. doi: 10.1105/tpc.010188.

Abstract

Gibberellins (GAs) are essential regulators of many aspects of plant development, including stem elongation, seed germination, and flowering. RSG is a transcriptional activator with a basic leucine zipper domain that regulates endogenous amounts of GAs through the control of a GA biosynthetic enzyme. The ubiquitous expression of RSG in plant organs suggests an involvement of post-transcriptional and/or post-translational modifications of the transcription factor. Here, we identify the 14-3-3 signaling proteins as RSG binding partners. The mutant version of RSG that could not bind to 14-3-3 proteins exhibited a higher transcriptional activity than did wild-type RSG. Consistent with this observation, the mutant RSG that could not bind to 14-3-3 proteins was localized predominantly in the nucleus, whereas wild-type RSG was distributed throughout the cell. Using the nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B, we also showed that RSG, apparently statically localized in the cytoplasm, is capable of shuttling in and out of the nucleus. These results suggest that 14-3-3 proteins negatively modulate RSG, which is involved in the regulation of endogenous amounts of GAs, by controlling its intracellular localization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Base Sequence
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Dimerization
  • Humans
  • Leucine Zippers / physiology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Plant Proteins*
  • Plasmids
  • Protein Transport
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • TATA Box
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / metabolism*

Substances

  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Plant Proteins
  • RSG protein, Nicotiana tabacum
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB071967
  • GENBANK/AB071968
  • GENBANK/AB071969