CESTA, a positive regulator of brassinosteroid biosynthesis

EMBO J. 2011 Mar 16;30(6):1149-61. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2011.35. Epub 2011 Feb 18.

Abstract

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroid hormones that are essential for the development of plants. A tight control of BR homeostasis is vital for modulating their impact on growth responses. Although it is recognized that the rapid adaptation of de novo synthesis has a key role in adjusting required BR levels, our knowledge of the mechanisms governing feedback control is limited. In this study, we identify the transcription factor CESTA as a regulator of BR biosynthesis. ces-D was isolated in a screen of Arabidopsis mutants by BR over-accumulation phenotypes. Loss-of-function analysis and the use of a dominant repressor version revealed functional overlap among CESTA and its homologues and confirmed the role of CESTA in the positive control of BR-biosynthetic gene expression. We provide evidence that CESTA interacts with its homologue BEE1 and can directly bind to a G-box motif in the promoter of the BR biosynthesis gene CPD. Moreover, we show that CESTA subnuclear localization is BR regulated and discuss a model, in which CESTA interplays with BEE1 to control BR biosynthesis and other BR responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Biosynthetic Pathways / genetics*
  • Brassinosteroids
  • Cholestanols / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Plant Growth Regulators / biosynthesis*
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Steroids, Heterocyclic / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Brassinosteroids
  • Cholestanols
  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • Steroids, Heterocyclic
  • Transcription Factors
  • brassinolide