A screen for genes that function in abscisic acid signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana

Genetics. 2002 Jul;161(3):1247-55. doi: 10.1093/genetics/161.3.1247.

Abstract

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) controls many aspects of plant growth and development under a diverse range of environmental conditions. To identify genes functioning in ABA signaling, we have carried out a screen for mutants that takes advantage of the ability of wild-type Arabidopsis seeds to respond to (-)-(R)-ABA, an enantiomer of the natural (+)-(S)-ABA. The premise of the screen was to identify mutations that preferentially alter their germination response in the presence of one stereoisomer vs. the other. Twenty-six mutants were identified and genetic analysis on 23 lines defines two new loci, designated CHOTTO1 and CHOTTO2, and a collection of new mutant alleles of the ABA-insensitive genes, ABI3, ABI4, and ABI5. The abi5 alleles are less sensitive to (+)-ABA than to (-)-ABA. In contrast, the abi3 alleles exhibit a variety of differences in response to the ABA isomers. Genetic and molecular analysis of these alleles suggests that the ABI3 transcription factor may perceive multiple ABA signals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abscisic Acid / chemistry
  • Abscisic Acid / pharmacology
  • Abscisic Acid / physiology*
  • Arabidopsis / drug effects
  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis / physiology
  • Genes, Plant / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Transcription Factors
  • Abscisic Acid