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F Katagiri

Publications and source records attributed to F Katagiri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Eukaryotic fatty acylation drives plasma membrane targeting and enhances function of several type III effector proteins from Pseudomonas syringae.

Bacterial pathogens of plants and animals utilize conserved type III delivery systems to traffic effector proteins into host cells. Plant innate immune systems evolved disease resistance (R) genes to recognize some type III effectors, termed avirulence (Avr) proteins. On disease-susceptible (r) plants, Avr proteins can contribute to pathogen virulence. We demonstrate that several type III effectors from Pseudomonas syringae are targeted to the host plasma membrane and that efficient membrane association enhances function. Efficient localization of three Avr proteins requires consensus myristoylation sites, and Avr proteins can be myristoylated inside the host cell. These prokaryotic type III effectors thus utilize a eukaryote-specific posttranslational modification to access the subcellular compartment where they function.

Acylation↗

A resistance gene product of the nucleotide binding site -- leucine rich repeats class can form a complex with bacterial avirulence proteins in vivo.

Resistance (R) genes in plants mediate gene-for-gene disease resistance. The ligand-receptor model, which explains the gene-for-gene specificity, predicts a physical interaction between an elicitor, which is directly or indirectly encoded by an avirulence (avr) gene in the pathogen, and the corresponding R gene product. The nucleotide binding site (NBS) - leucine rich repeats (LRR) class of R genes is the largest known class of R genes. Here we report that an NBS-LRR R protein and its cognate Avr protein form a complex together in the plant cell. The Arabidopsis thaliana R genes RPS2 and RPM1 confer gene-for-gene disease resistance to strains of the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae carrying the avr genes avrRpt2 and avrB, respectively. Using transient expression of these genes in Arabidopsis leaf mesophyll protoplasts, we first demonstrated that the protoplast system is appropriate for the investigation of the gene-for-gene recognition mechanism. Formation of an in vivo complex containing the RPS2 and AvrRpt2 proteins was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation of the proteins following expression of the genes in protoplasts. This complex contained at least one additional plant protein of approximately 75 kDa. Unexpectedly, RPS2 also formed a complex with AvrB. We speculate that complex formation between AvrRpt2 and RPS2 is productive and leads to the elicitation of the resistance response, whilst complex formation between AvrB and RPS2 is unproductive and possibly competes with complex formation between AvrRpt2 and RPS2.

Arabidopsis↗

The Pseudomonas syringae avrRpt2 gene product promotes pathogen virulence from inside plant cells.

Several bacterial avr genes have been shown to contribute to virulence on susceptible plants lacking the corresponding resistance (R) gene. The mechanisms by which avr genes promote parasitism and disease, however, are not well understood. We investigated the role of the Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato avrRpt2 gene in pathogenesis by studying the interaction of P. syringae pv. tomato strain PstDC3000 expressing avrRpt2 with several Arabidopsis thaliana lines lacking the corresponding R gene, RPS2. We found that PstDC3000 expressing avrRpt2 grew to significantly higher levels and often resulted in the formation of more severe disease symptoms in ecotype No-0 plants carrying a mutant RPS2 allele, as well as in two Col-0 mutant lines, cpr5 rps2 and coil rps2, that exhibit enhanced resistance. We also generated transgenic A. thaliana lines expressing avrRpt2 and demonstrated, by using several different assays, that expression of avrRpt2 within the plant also promotes virulence of PstDC3000. Thus, AvrRpt2 appears to promote pathogen virulence from within the plant cell.

Arabidopsis↗

Mutational analysis of the Arabidopsis nucleotide binding site-leucine-rich repeat resistance gene RPS2.

Disease resistance proteins containing a nucleotide binding site (NBS) and a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) region compose the largest class of disease resistance proteins. These so-called NBS-LRR proteins confer resistance against a wide variety of phytopathogens. To help elucidate the mechanism by which NBS-LRR proteins recognize and transmit pathogen-derived signals, we analyzed mutant versions of the Arabidopsis NBS-LRR protein RPS2. The RPS2 gene confers resistance against Pseudomonas syringae strains carrying the avirulence gene avrRpt2. The activity of RPS2 derivatives in response to AvrRpt2 was measured by using a functional transient expression assay or by expressing the mutant proteins in transgenic plants. Directed mutagenesis revealed that the NBS and an N-terminal leucine zipper (LZ) motif were critical for RPS2 function. Mutations near the N terminus, including an LZ mutation, resulted in proteins that exhibited a dominant negative effect on wild-type RPS2. Scanning the RPS2 molecule with a small in-frame internal deletion demonstrated that RPS2 does not have a large dispensable region. Overexpression of RPS2 in the transient assay in the absence of avrRpt2 also led to an apparent resistant response, presumably a consequence of a low basal activity of RPS2. The NBS and LZ were essential for this overdose effect, whereas the entire LRR was dispensable. RPS2 interaction with a 75-kD protein (p75) required an N-terminal portion of RPS2 that is smaller than the region required for the overdose effect. These findings illuminate the pathogen recognition mechanisms common among NBS-LRR proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular recognition of pathogen attack occurs inside of plant cells in plant disease resistance specified by the Arabidopsis genes RPS2 and RPM1.

The Arabidopsis thaliana disease resistance genes RPS2 and RPM1 belong to a class of plant disease resistance genes that encode proteins that contain an N-terminal tripartite nucleotide binding site (NBS) and a C-terminal tandem array of leucine-rich repeats. RPS2 and RPM1 confer resistance to strains of the bacterial phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae carrying the avirulence genes avrRpt2 and avrB, respectively. In these gene-for-gene relationships, it has been proposed that pathogen avirulence genes generate specific ligands that are recognized by cognate receptors encoded by the corresponding plant resistance genes. To test this hypothesis, it is crucial to know the site of the potential molecular recognition. Mutational analysis of RPS2 protein and in vitro translation/translocation studies indicated that RPS2 protein is localized in the plant cytoplasm. To determine whether avirulence gene products themselves are the ligands for resistance proteins, we expressed the avrRpt2 and avrB genes directly in plant cell using a novel quantitative transient expression assay, and found that expression of avrRpt2 and avrB elicited a resistance response in plants carrying the corresponding resistance genes. This observation indicates that no bacterial factors other than the avirulence gene products are required for the specific resistance response as long as the avirulence gene products are correctly localized. We propose that molecular recognition of P. syringae in RPS2- and RPM1-specified resistance occurs inside of plant cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Use of Arabidopsis thaliana defense-related mutants to dissect the plant response to pathogens.

The plant defense response to microbial pathogens had been studied primarily by using biochemical and physiological techniques. Recently, several laboratories have developed a variety of pathosystems utilizing Arabidopsis thaliana as a model host so that genetic analysis could also be used to study plant defense responses. Utilizing a pathosystem that involves the infection of Arabidopsis with pathogenic pseudomonads, we have cloned the Arabidopsis disease-resistance gene RPS2, which corresponds to the avirulence gene avrRpt2 in a gene-for-gene relationship. RPS2 encodes a 105-kDa protein containing a leucine zipper, a nucleotide binding site, and 14 imperfect leucine-rich repeats. The RPS2 protein is remarkably similar to the product of the tobacco N gene, which confers resistance to tobacco mosaic virus. We have also isolated a series of Arabidopsis mutants that synthesize decreased levels of an Arabidopsis phytoalexin called camalexin. Analysis of these mutants indicated that camalexin does not play a significant role in limiting growth of avirulent Pseudomonas syringae strains during the hypersensitive defense response but that it may play a role in limiting the growth of virulent strains. More generally, we have shown that we can utilize Arabidopsis to systematically dissect the defense response by isolation and characterization of appropriate defense-related mutants.

Arabidopsis↗

The A. thaliana disease resistance gene RPS2 encodes a protein containing a nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeats.

In plants, resistance to a pathogen is frequently correlated with a genetically defined interaction between a plant resistance gene and a corresponding pathogen avirulence gene. A simple model explains these gene-for-gene interactions: avirulence gene products generate signals (ligands), and resistance genes encode cognate receptors. The A. thaliana RPS2 gene confers resistance to the bacterial pathogen P. syringae carrying the avirulence gene avrRpt2. A map-based positional cloning strategy was used to identify RPS2. The identification of RPS2 was verified using a newly developed transient assay for RPS2 function and by genetic complementation in transgenic plants. RPS2 encodes a novel 105 kDa protein containing a leucine zipper, a nucleotide-binding site, and 14 imperfect leucine-rich repeats.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

bZIP proteins bind to a palindromic sequence without an ACGT core located in a seed-specific element of the pea lectin promoter.

Previously, it has been shown that a trimer of a 22 bp fragment of the promoter of the seed-specific pea lectin gene confers high expression in seed. Here it is reported that this fragment contains a binding site for the cloned basic domain/leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins TGA1a and Opaque-2 (O2). Gel shift assays, DNasel footprinting and methylation interference assays using purified TGA1a were performed to determine whether additional binding sites are present in the psl promoter. Within the 469 bp upstream region only one other TGA1a binding site was found, which is much weaker than the one present in the 22 bp element. Both O2 and TGA1a bound to the odd base palindromic C-box sequence, ATGAGTCAT, present within the 22 bp fragment. The 22 bp fragment also contains the sequence CACGTA, which contains the ACGT core usually found in binding sites for bZIP proteins. However, this sequence did not significantly contribute to bZIP protein binding. The binding affinity of TGA1a for the odd base palindromic sequence was low relative to a high-affinity C-box (ATGACGTCAT). By contrast, O2 strongly bound to the odd base C-box; the affinity was comparable with that for high-affinity G-(GACACGTGTC) and C-boxes. It is concluded that the presence of an ACGT core sequence is not a prerequisite for high-affinity binding of O2.

Base Sequence↗

Plant transcription factors: present knowledge and future challenges.

By the use of three different experimental approaches, more than 40 cDNA clones encoding putative transcription factors have been isolated from plants. In this review, we compare the relative advantages and disadvantages of each approach, suggest methods for investigating the activity of the factors in vitro and in vivo, and discuss strategies to elucidate their physiological functions during plant growth and development.

Base Sequence↗

The promoter of the rice gene GOS2 is active in various different monocot tissues and binds rice nuclear factor ASF-1.

A single copy gene has been isolated, termed GOS2, from rice. Sequence comparison revealed highly similar genes in mammals and yeast, indicating that GOS2 encodes an evolutionary conserved protein. GOS2 mRNA was detected in all tissues examined. When the upstream region was translationally fused to the reporter gene gusA it was found to drive expression in a variety of rice tissues and in cell suspensions of other monocot species following introduction by particle bombardment. Therefore, the GOS2 promoter is potentially useful for genetic engineering of monocots. A DNA-binding activity from rice, termed rice ASF-1, with similar binding specificity as the cloned tobacco transcription factor TGA-1a, was found to bind to a TGACG sequence motif in the GOS2 promoter. Possible roles for rice ASF-1 in the transcriptional activation of the GOS2 promoter are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a novel dimer stabilization region in a plant bZIP transcription activator.

We have carried out deletion analyses of a tobacco transcription activator, TGA1a, in order to define its functional domains. TGA1a belongs to the basic-region-leucine zipper (bZIP) class of DNA-binding proteins. Like other proteins of this class, it binds to its target DNA as a dimer, and its bZIP domain is necessary and sufficient for specific DNA binding. A mutant polypeptide containing the bZIP domain alone, however, shows a lower DNA-binding affinity than the full-length TGA1a. The C-terminal portion of TGA1a, which is essential for the higher DNA-binding affinity, contains a polypeptide region that can stabilize dimeric forms of the protein. This polypeptide region is designated the dimer stabilization (DS) region. Under our in vitro conditions, TGA1a derivatives with the DS region and those without the region do not form a detectable mixed dimer. This result indicates that in addition to the leucine zipper, the DS region can serve as another determinant of the dimerization specificity of TGA1a. In fact, the DS region, when fused to another bZIP protein, C/EBP, can inhibit dimer formation between the fusion protein and native C/EBP, whereas each of these can form homodimers. Such a portable determinant of dimerization specificity has potential application in studies of DNA-binding proteins as well as in biotechnology.

Base Sequence↗

The tobacco transcription activator TGA1a binds to a sequence in the 5' upstream region of a gene encoding a TGA1a-related protein.

We have isolated and characterized a tobacco gene, designated G13, encoding a leucine zipper DNA-binding protein related to the transcription activator TGA1a. The G13 coding region is divided into eight exons and the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein (PG13) shows 76% homology to TGA1a. Their putative DNA-contacting regions (basic domains) are identical and they both bind to the same target sequences in vitro. By contrast, some differences are apparent between these proteins at the carboxyl end of the dimerization region (leucine zipper). The basic and leucine zipper domains are encoded on separate small exons. Analysis by DNAse I footprinting, gel shift and competition experiments revealed that TGA1a and PG13 synthesized in Escherichia coli, and the tobacco nuclear factor ASF-1 all bind to at least one site in the 5' upstream region of G13. The presence of a TGA1a binding site in the upstream region of a TGA1a-related gene suggests that transcription of this gene is autoregulated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Plant nuclear factor ASF-1 binds to an essential region of the nopaline synthase promoter.

We have characterized a tobacco nuclear factor that binds to the -118 region of the nopaline synthase (nos) promoter from the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The binding site for this factor, identified by DNase I footprinting, encompasses the region from -138 to -103 of the nos promoter. This region, which contains a potential Z-DNA-forming sequence, was previously shown to be essential for nos promoter activity in transgenic tobacco. A synthetic 21-base pair sequence from the protected region (from -131 to -111), designated as nos-1, was sufficient for factor recognition in vitro. In transgenic tobacco, a tetramer of nos-1 can confer leaf and root expression when fused upstream of a truncated 35 S promoter from the cauliflower mosaic virus. Mutations at the two TGACG-like motifs in nos-1 abolish factor binding while preserving the potential for Z-DNA formation. A tetramer of the nos-1 mutant sequence has no significant activity above background when tested in transgenic tobacco. Competition experiments with activation sequence factor (ASF)-1 binding sites from the 35 S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (as-1) and the wheat histone H3 promoter (hex-1) demonstrate that ASF-1 is the factor that binds to nos-1.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

TGA1a, a tobacco DNA-binding protein, increases the rate of preinitiation complex formation in a plant in vitro transcription system [corrected].

We describe here a plant in vitro transcription system for class II promoters using wheat germ extract. In this system transcription is stimulated by TGA1a, a tobacco DNA-binding protein, and the stimulation is dependent on the presence of its cognate binding site upstream of the TATA box. Titration experiments showed that transcription initiation is more sensitive than transcription elongation to low concentrations of sarkosyl (N-lauroylsarcosine). At 0.07% sarkosyl, the formation of initiated complex is inhibited but transcription elongation is not. Under these conditions, events associated with a single round of transcription can be studied. We demonstrate that the time required for completing transcription of a 380-base-pair template is about 10 min. Addition of TGA1a increases the number of preinitiation complexes by approximately 3-fold with no significant effect on the frequency of transcription initiation from a single complex or on the rate of RNA elongation. We anticipate that this in vitro system will be valuable for the elucidation of mechanisms that regulate transcription in plants.

Base Sequence↗

A plant DNA-binding protein increases the number of active preinitiation complexes in a human in vitro transcription system.

TGA1a is a tobacco DNA-binding protein that binds to the activation sequence-1 (as-1) element of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. We have produced TGA1a in Escherichia coli, purified it from bacterial extracts, and examined its effect on transcription in a human in vitro system. Addition of TGA1a stimulates transcription by up to 20 times, and the stimulation is dependent on the presence of the as-1 element in the promoter. When transcription reinitiation is inhibited by 0.3 M KCl, activation is similar. Therefore, TGA1a activates transcription by increasing the number of active preinitiation complexes. After formation of the preinitiation complexes in the presence of TGA1a, oligonucleotides containing TGA1a-binding sites do not significantly affect the stimulated level of transcription. This result indicates that a complex remains committed to the promoter site after initiation and that this complex is used repeatedly during several initiation events. Our study demonstrates for the first time that a plant factor can activate transcription in a human in vitro system and that the activation mechanism of the plant factor is similar to that of mammalian factors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Two tobacco DNA-binding proteins with homology to the nuclear factor CREB.

The 35S promoter of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) contains a tandem repeat of the sequence TGACG in the region -83 to -63. This 21-base pair (bp) sequence, called as-1, is involved in root expression of the 35S promoter. When inserted in a promoter of a gene expressed specifically in photosynthetic tissues, as-1 confers high level expression in roots. We have described a factor, ASF-1, that binds specifically to as-1 in vitro. There is a good correlation between ASF-1 binding affinity to as-1 related sequences in vitro and the function of these sequences in vivo. These results strongly suggest that ASF-1 is responsible for the function of as-1. Here we report the isolation of tobacco complementary DNA clones encoding two TGACG-sequence-specific binding-proteins (TGA1a and TGA1b). Sequence analysis of the cDNA clones shows that both proteins contain a basic region that shows high homology to a stretch of basic amino acids in the nuclear factors CREB, GCN4, and c-Jun to a 'leucine-zipper' region. On the basis of binding specificity we propose TGA1a to be a good candidate for ASF-1.

Activating Transcription Factors↗

An octopine synthase enhancer element directs tissue-specific expression and binds ASF-1, a factor from tobacco nuclear extracts.

We have investigated the expression pattern conferred by a cis-regulatory element (-212 to -154) from the upstream region of the octopine synthase (ocs) gene in transgenic tobacco plants. Analysis of beta-glucuronidase expression driven by the ocs regulatory element revealed a pattern that is tissue-specific and developmentally regulated. In young seedlings, expression is confined primarily to root tips. In older seedlings, expression is stronger and becomes apparent also in the shoot apex. Insertion of a 16-base pair palindromic sequence (-193 to -178), which is included in the regulatory element, into an rbcS promoter results in the expression of rbcS in roots. The 16-base pair palindrome binds activation sequence factor (ASF)-1, a factor from tobacco nuclear extracts that interacts with the sequence between -83 to -63, designated as activation sequence (as)-1, of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter [Lam et al. (1989). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, in press]. The in vivo expression patterns and in vitro binding properties of the ocs palindromic sequence are remarkably similar to those of the as-1 element of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. These results suggest the involvement of ASF-1 in the transcriptional regulation of the ocs promoter and the 35S promoter.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗