Arabidopsis transcription factor genes NF-YA1, 5, 6, and 9 play redundant roles in male gametogenesis, embryogenesis, and seed development.

Abstract

Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) is a highly conserved transcription factor presented in all eukaryotic organisms, and is a heterotrimer consisting of three subunits: NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC. In Arabidopsis, these three subunits are encoded by multigene families. The best-studied member of the NF-Y transcription factors is LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1), a NF-YB family member, which plays a critical role in embryogenesis and seed maturation. However, the function of most NF-Y genes remains elusive. Here, we report the characterization of four genes in the NF-YA family. We found that a gain-of-function mutant of NF-YA1 showed defects in male gametogenesis and embryogenesis. Consistently, overexpression of NF-YA1, 5, 6, and 9 affects male gametogenesis, embryogenesis, seed morphology, and seed germination, with a stronger phenotype when overexpressing NF-YA1 and NF-YA9. Moreover, overexpression of these NF-YA genes also causes hypersensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) during seed germination, retarded seedling growth, and late flowering at different degrees. Intriguingly, overexpression of NF-YA1, 5, 6, and 9 is sufficient to induce the formation of somatic embryos from the vegetative tissues. However, single or double mutants of these NF-YA genes do not have detectable phenotype. Collectively, these results provide evidence that NF-YA1, 5, 6, and 9 play redundant roles in male gametophyte development, embryogenesis, seed development, and post-germinative growth.

• Authors: Jinye Mu, Helin Tan, Sulei Hong, Yan Liang, Jianru Zuo
• Journal: Molecular plant (Mol Plant) Vol. 6 Issue 1 Pg. 188-201 (Jan 2013) ISSN: 1752-9867 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22933713 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Arabidopsis Proteins
• CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
• LEC1 protein, Arabidopsis
• Transcription Factors
• Glucuronidase

Topics

• Arabidopsis (embryology, genetics)
• Arabidopsis Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins (metabolism)
• Gametogenesis (genetics)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
• Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
• Genes, Plant (genetics)
• Genetic Pleiotropy
• Glucuronidase (metabolism)
• Mutation (genetics)
• Phenotype
• Phylogeny
• Plants, Genetically Modified
• Seeds (genetics, growth & development)
• Transcription Factors (genetics, metabolism)
• Up-Regulation (genetics)