Proteomic analysis of plants overexpressing AtERF019 transcription factor under drought stress

SCARPECI T; ZANOR MI; VALLE EM

Congreso; Reunión Anual SAIB 2013; 2013

AtERF019 transcription factor, which is a member of the APETALA2 (AP2)/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) gene family, was induced under oxidative stress originated in chloroplast. Plants overexpressing AtERF019 (ERF019 lines) were more tolerant to water stress conditions, showing improved development, a healthier appearance and higher survival rates than wild type plants. Furthermore, ERF019 transgenic plants exhibited a marked delay in senescence. To uncover the molecular mechanisms that could be involved in regulating the drought tolerance in ERF019 plants, we carried out a proteomic analysis using Col 0 and transgenic plants subjected to a controlled water deficit treatment. We found out five proteins that were present only in ERF019-7 control sample (ATPase subunit, Reticulon-like protein, Branched-chain-amino-acid aminotransferase, ABC transporter and zinc finger transcription factor) and one protein was unique to ERF019-7 drought sample (ADP-ribose pyrophosphatase). Some of these proteins are known to function against stress, and could be responsible for the stress tolerance found in ERF019 lines. Results suggest that AtERF019 may be responsible for the drought stress tolerance by increasing the expression of stress protective proteins that together produce physiological adaptations that enable the plant to stand water deprivation.