Identification of a possible MAP kinase cascade in Arabidopsis thaliana based on pairwise yeast two-hybrid analysis and functional complementation tests of yeast mutants

FEBS Lett. 1998 Oct 16;437(1-2):56-60. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)01197-1.

Abstract

A possible MAP kinase (MAPK) cascade of Arabidopsis thaliana was identified on the basis of both yeast 2-hybrid analysis and complementation analysis of yeast mutants. Specific protein-protein interactions between ATMPK4 (a MAPK) and MEK1 (a MAPKK) and interactions between MEK1 and ATMEKK1 (a MAPKKK) were detected by using the 2-hybrid system. A growth defect of the yeast mpk1delta mutant was reversed by coexpression of ATMPK4 and MEK1. Coexpression of the N-terminal deletion form of ATMEKK1 increased the ability of MEK1 to suppress a growth defect of the yeast pbs2delta mutant. These results suggest that ATMPK4, MEK1, and ATMEKK1 may interact with each other and constitute a specific MAPK cascade in Arabidopsis. This is the first demonstration of a possible MAPK cascade in plants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Mutation
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / growth & development
  • Transformation, Genetic

Substances

  • Protein Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases