Functional characterisation of plant NF-X1 type zinc finger proteins

人NF-X1蛋白及其它真核生物中的同源蛋白代表了一类以NF-X1型锌指结构为特征的转录因子。这些蛋白质发挥不同的作用，例如调节哺乳动物的炎症反应和控制果蝇的发育过程。我们已经确定了两个拟南芥基因编码NF-X1型锌指转录因子，我们称之为AtNFXL 1和AtNFXL 2。AtNFXL 1反义植物和atnfxl 1 T-DNA敲除突变体在盐和渗透胁迫下表现出较差的生长和存活。AtNFXL 2反义植物、atnfxl 2敲除突变体和AtNFXL 1过表达植物在这种条件下比野生型植物表现更好。维生素C类固醇在压力下促进的生长依赖于AtNFXL 1蛋白。我们假设AtNFXL 1和AtNFXL 2基因在适应过程的调节中起拮抗作用。为了增加我们对植物NF-X1型锌指蛋白的作用模式的分子基础以及油菜素内酯在胁迫下的作用的理解，我们计划使用转基因、分子和生物化学方法的组合。该项目的完成将增加我们对植物在逆境下生长的分子基础的一般知识。

The human NF-X1 protein and homologous proteins in other eukaryotes represent a class of transcription factors which are characterized by NF-X1 type zinc finger motifs. The proteins play different roles, such as regulation of the inflammatory response in mammals and control of developmental processes in Drosophila. We have identified two Arabidopsis genes encoding NF-X1 type zinc finger transcription factors which we termed AtNFXL1 and AtNFXL2. AtNFXL1-antisense plants and atnfxl1 T-DNA knockout mutants show poor growth and survival under salt and osmotic stress. AtNFXL2-antisense plants, atnfxl2 knockout mutants, and AtNFXL1 overexpression plants perform better than wildtype plants under such conditions. Brassinosteroid-promoted growth under stress depends on the AtNFXL1 protein. We hypothesize that the AtNFXL1 and AtNFXL2 genes play antagonistic roles in the regulation of adaptive processes. To increase our understanding of the molecular basis of the mode of action of plant NF-X1 type zinc finger proteins and the role of brassinosteorid under stress, we are planning to use a combination of transgenic, molecular, and biochemical approaches. Completion of the project will increase our general knowledge of the molecular basis of plant growth under stress.