Arabidopsis ERF1 Mediates Cross-Talk between Ethylene and Auxin Biosynthesis during Primary Root Elongation by Regulating ASA1 Expression

• Published in: PLoS genetics Vol. 12; no. 1; p. e1005760
• Main Authors: Mao, Jie-Li, Miao, Zi-Qing, Wang, Zhen, Yu, Lin-Hui, Cai, Xiao-Teng, Xiang, Cheng-Bin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01.01.2016; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Abiotic stress; Anthranilate Synthase - biosynthesis; Anthranilate Synthase - genetics; Arabidopsis - genetics; Arabidopsis - growth & development; Arabidopsis Proteins - biosynthesis; Arabidopsis Proteins - genetics; Arabidopsis thaliana; Auxin; Biosynthesis; Enzymes; Ethylenes - metabolism; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Genetic aspects; Indoleacetic Acids - metabolism; Kinases; Observations; Peptide Termination Factors - biosynthesis; Peptide Termination Factors - genetics; Physiological aspects; Plant Growth Regulators - biosynthesis; Plant Growth Regulators - genetics; Plant Roots - genetics; Plant Roots - growth & development; Proteins; Regulation; Signal Transduction; Transcription factors
• ISSN: 1553-7404; 1553-7390; 1553-7404
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005760

The gaseous phytohormone ethylene participates in the regulation of root growth and development in Arabidopsis. It is known that root growth inhibition by ethylene involves auxin, which is partially mediated by the action of the WEAK ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE2/ANTHRANILATE SYNTHASE α1 (WEI2/ASA1), encoding a rate-limiting enzyme in tryptophan (Trp) biosynthesis, from which auxin is derived. However, the molecular mechanism by which ethylene decreases root growth via ASA1 is not understood. Here we report that the ethylene-responsive AP2 transcription factor, ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR1 (ERF1), plays an important role in primary root elongation of Arabidopsis. Using loss- and gain-of-function transgenic lines as well as biochemical analysis, we demonstrate that ERF1 can directly up-regulate ASA1 by binding to its promoter, leading to auxin accumulation and ethylene-induced inhibition of root growth. This discloses one mechanism linking ethylene signaling and auxin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis roots.