Functional characterization of DC1 domain-containing proteins: their role in plant development.

D'IPPÓLITO, SEBASTIÁN; ARIAS, L.; CASALONGUE, C.; PAGNUSSAT G.; FIOL, D

Mar del Plata

Congreso; Reunion anual SAIB; 2015

A comprehensive study of genes involved in plant defense responses led us to identify a set of genes coding for DC1domain -containing proteins whose expression is strongly induced by pathogens and elicitors in Arabidopsis thaliana. The analysis of insertional mutants of these genes revealed that at least one of them, At2g17740 is required for the normal development of the female gametophyte. Expression reporter lines pAt2g17740-GUS, p35S-At2g44370-GFP and pAt2g17740-At2g44370-GFP were generated in order to functionally characterize this gene. The analysis of pAt2g17740-GUS reporter lines showed expression in hypocotyls, roots, leaves and apical meristem, depending on the developmental stage. Furthermore, enhanced GUS activity was detected under abiotic stress in the whole rosette. Lines expressing At2g17740 as a translational fusion with GFP allowed us to detect the expression in the embryo sac, in agreement with its requirement to fulfill female gametophyte development. In addition, based on the GFP-reporter lines results we report a subcellular localization of this protein in the plasmatic membrane and endomembrane system.