Mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade in the signaling for polyamine biosynthesis in tobacco

Plant Cell Physiol. 2009 Mar;50(3):658-64. doi: 10.1093/pcp/pcp009. Epub 2009 Jan 16.

Abstract

Expression of NtNEK2(DD), a constitutively active mutant of NtMEK2, activates endogenous salicylic acid-induced protein kinase (SIPK) and wounding-induced protein kinase (WIPK), and leads to several stress/defense responses in tobacco. In this study, we used ACP (annealing control primer)-based differential display reverse transcription-PCR to isolate the downstream effectors mediated by the NtMEK2-SIPK/WIPK cascade. The arginine decarboxylase gene (ADC), which is involved in plant putrescine biosynthesis, was one of nine differentially expressed genes. When compared with NtMEK2(KR) plants, NtMEK2(DD) transgenic plants exhibited a significant increase in ADC and ODC (ornithine decarboxylase) transcript levels, as well as in putrescine and its catabolite, gamma-aminobutyric acid, following SIPK/WIPK activation. Taken together, these results suggest that the NtMEK2-SIPK/WIPK cascade is involved in regulating polyamine synthesis, especially putrescine synthesis, through transcriptional regulation of the biosynthetic genes in tobacco.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carboxy-Lyases / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2 / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2 / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / genetics*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Nicotiana / enzymology*
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / metabolism
  • Polyamines / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Polyamines
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • SA-induced protein kinase
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2
  • Carboxy-Lyases
  • arginine decarboxylase