Analysis of Arabidopsis Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Families: Organ Specificity and Transcriptional Regulation upon Water Stresses

Khaled Moustafa (1) , Delphine Lefebvre de Vos (2) , Anne-Sophie Leprince (2) , Arnould Savouré (2) , Christiane Laurière (1)

1 ISV - Institut des sciences du végétal
2 PCMP - Physiologie cellulaire et moléculaire des plantes

Arabidopsis genome encodes 4 gene families of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK): MPK family (20 genes), MKK family (10 genes), MAP3K family (60 genes), and MAP4K family (10 genes). The functions of corresponding proteins are still largely unknown. To characterize potentially functional cascades of MAP kinases involved in water stress signaling pathways, original macroarrays were developed for their sensitivity and specificity. The expression patterns of MPK and MKK families, as well as selected members of MAP3K and MAP4K families were studied in relation to organ specificity and in response to various water stresses. Several kinases of the poorly studied MPK group containing a TDY activation loop were induced by water stresses. Four MPK genes (MPK9, MPK11, MPK17, and MPK18), among which three containing TDY activation loop, and MKK9 and MAP3K6 genes were induced at transcriptional level by dehydration, salinity, and hyperosmolarity stresses. These genes probably constitute key elements of MAP kinase cascade involved in water stress signaling pathway.

Mots clés: MAP kinase; Transcriptional Regulation; Water Stress

Domaines: Amélioration des plantes

Khaled Moustafa, Delphine Lefebvre de Vos, Anne-Sophie Leprince, Arnould Savouré, Christiane Laurière. Analysis of Arabidopsis Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Families: Organ Specificity and Transcriptional Regulation upon Water Stresses. Syrexe Biology, 2008, Volume 2008 (2008), Article ID 143656, 12 p. ⟨10.3814/2008/143656⟩. ⟨hal-00574386⟩