A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

A R2R3 type MYB transcription factor is involved in the cold regulation of CBF genes and in acquired freezing tolerance




AuthorsAgarwal, Manu; Hao, Yujin; Kapoor, Avnish; Dong, Chun-Hai; Fujii, Hiroaki; Zheng, Xianwu; Zhu, Jian-Kang

PublisherAMER SOC BIOCHEMISTRY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY INC

Publishing placeBETHESDA

Publication year2006

JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry

Journal name in sourceJOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

Journal acronymJ BIOL CHEM

Volume281

Issue49

First page 37636

Last page37645

Number of pages10

eISSN1083-351X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M605895200


Abstract
Cold temperatures trigger the expression of the CBF family of transcription factors, which in turn activate many downstream genes that confer freezing tolerance to plants. It has been shown previously that the cold regulation of CBF3 involves an upstream bHLH-type transcription factor, ICE1. ICE1 binds to the Myc recognition sequences in the CBF3 promoter. Apart from Myc recognition sequences, CBF promoters also have Myb recognition sequences. We report here that the Arabidopsis MYB15 is involved in cold-regulation of CBF genes and in the development of freezing tolerance. The MYB15 gene transcript is up-regulated by cold stress. The MYB15 protein interacts with ICE1 and binds to Myb recognition sequences in the promoters of CBF genes. Overexpression of MYB15 results in reduced expression of CBF genes whereas its loss-of-function leads to increased expression of CBF genes in the cold. The myb15 mutant plants show increased tolerance to freezing stress whereas its overexpression reduces freezing tolerance. Our results suggest that MYB15 is part of a complex network of transcription factors controlling the expression of CBFs and other genes in response to cold stress.



Last updated on 2025-11-02 at 15:36