The bHLH transcription factor MYC3 interacts with the Jasmonate ZIM-domain proteins to mediate jasmonate response in Arabidopsis

Mol Plant. 2011 Mar;4(2):279-88. doi: 10.1093/mp/ssq073. Epub 2011 Jan 17.

Abstract

The Arabidopsis Jasmonate ZIM-domain proteins (JAZs) act as substrates of SCF(COI1) complex to repress their downstream targets, which are essential for JA-regulated plant development and defense. The bHLH transcription factor MYC2 was found to interact with JAZs and mediate JA responses including JA-inhibitory root growth. Here, we identified another bHLH transcription factor MYC3 which directly interacted with JAZs by virtue of its N-terminal region to regulate JA responses. The transgenic plants with overexpression of MYC3 exhibited hypersensitivity in JA-inhibitory root elongation and seedling development. The JAZ-interacting pattern and the JA-induced expression pattern of MYC3 were distinguishable from those of MYC2. We speculate that MYC3 and MYC2 may have redundant but also distinguishable functions in regulation of JA responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / drug effects*
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Cyclopentanes / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Oxylipins / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / drug effects
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Cyclopentanes
  • JAZ1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • MYC3 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Oxylipins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • jasmonic acid