Genes in the ERF family encode transcriptional regulators with a variety of functions involved in the developmental and physiological processes in plants. In this study, a comprehensive computational analysis identified 122 and 139 ERF family genes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica), respectively. A complete overview of this gene family in Arabidopsis is presented, including the gene structures, phylogeny, chromosome locations, and conserved motifs. In addition, a comparative analysis between these genes in Arabidopsis and rice was performed. As a result of these analyses, the ERF families in Arabidopsis and rice were divided into 12 and 15 groups, respectively, and several of these groups were further divided into subgroups. Based on the observation that 11 of these groups were present in both Arabidopsis and rice, it was concluded that the major functional diversification within the ERF family predated the monocot/dicot divergence. In contrast, some groups/subgroups are species specific. We discuss the relationship between the structure and function of the ERF family proteins based on these results and published information. It was further concluded that the expansion of the ERF family in plants might have been due to chromosomal/segmental duplication and tandem duplication, as well as more ancient transposition and homing. These results will be useful for future functional analyses of the ERF family genes.

/pdf/genome-wide-analysis-of-the-erf-gene-family-in-arabidopsis-33fkj4btth.pdf

Genome-Wide Analysis of the ERF Gene Family in Arabidopsis and Rice

Transcription factors in plant defense and stress responses.

Submergence-1 (Sub1), a major quantitative trait locus affecting tolerance to complete submergence in lowland rice (Oryza sativa), contains two or three ethylene response factor (ERF)-like genes whose transcripts are regulated by submergence. In the submergence-intolerant japonica cultivar M202, this locus encodes two ERF genes, Sub1B and Sub1C. In the tolerant near-isogenic line containing the Sub1 locus from the indica FR13A, M202(Sub1), the locus additionally encodes the ERF gene Sub1A. During submergence, the tolerant M202(Sub1) displayed restrained leaf and internode elongation, chlorophyll degradation, and carbohydrate consumption, whereas the enzymatic activities of pyruvate decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase were increased significantly compared with the intolerant M202. Transcript levels of genes associated with carbohydrate consumption, ethanolic fermentation, and cell expansion were distinctly regulated in the two lines. Sub1A and Sub1C transcript levels were shown to be upregulated by submergence and ethylene, with the Sub1C allele in M202 also upregulated by treatment with gibberellic acid (GA). These findings demonstrate that the Sub1 region haplotype determines ethylene- and GA-mediated metabolic and developmental responses to submergence through differential expression of Sub1A and Sub1C. Submergence tolerance in lowland rice is conferred by a specific allele variant of Sub1A that dampens ethylene production and GA responsiveness, causing quiescence in growth that correlates with the capacity for regrowth upon desubmergence.

/pdf/a-variable-cluster-of-ethylene-response-factor-like-genes-54o0twb88p.pdf

A variable cluster of ethylene response factor-like genes regulates metabolic and developmental acclimation responses to submergence in rice.

This review discusses recent progress in our understanding of signaling in induced plant resistance and susceptibility to pathogens and insect herbivores, with a focus on the connections and crosstalk among phytohormone signaling networks that regulate responses to these and other stresses. Multiple stresses, often simultaneous, reduce growth and yield in plants. However, prior challenge by a pathogen or insect herbivore also can induce resistance to subsequent challenge. This resistance, or failure of susceptibility, must be orchestrated within a larger physiological context that is strongly influenced by other biotic agents and by abiotic stresses such as inadequate light, temperature extremes, drought, nutrient limitation, and soil salinity. Continued research in this area is predicated on the notion that effective utilization of induced resistance in crop protection will require a functional understanding of the physiological consequences of the "induced" state of the plant, coupled with the knowledge of the specificity and compatibility of the signaling systems leading to this state. This information may guide related strategies to improve crop performance in suboptimal environments, and define the limits of induced resistance in certain agricultural contexts.

Signal crosstalk and induced resistance: straddling the line between cost and benefit.

Regulation of disease resistance pathways by AP2/ERF transcription factors.

The Pti4, Pti5, and Pti6 proteins from tomato were identified based on their interaction with the product of the Pto disease resistance gene, a Ser-Thr protein kinase. They belong to the ethylene-response factor (ERF) family of plantunique transcription factors and bind specifically to the GCC-box cis element present in the promoters of many pathogenesis-related ( PR ) genes. Here, we show that these tomato ERFs are localized to the nucleus and function in vivo as transcription activators that regulate the expression of GCC box‐containing PR genes. Expression of Pti4 , Pti5 , or Pti 6 in Arabidopsis activated the expression of the salicylic acid‐regulated genes PR1 and PR2 . Expression of jasmonic acid‐ and ethylene-regulated genes, such as PR3 , PR4 , PDF1.2 , and Thi2.1 , was affected differently by each of the three tomato ERFs, with Arabidopsis -Pti4 plants having very high levels of PDF1.2 transcripts. Exogenous application of salicylic acid to Arabidopsis- Pti4 plants suppressed the increased expression of PDF1.2 but further stimulated PR1 expression. Arabidopsis plants expressing Pti4 displayed increased resistance to the fungal pathogen Erysiphe orontii and increased tolerance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato . These results indicate that Pti4, Pti5, and Pti6 activate the expression of a wide array of PR genes and play important and distinct roles in plant defense.

/pdf/tomato-transcription-factors-pti4-pti5-and-pti6-activate-3xgegmazxs.pdf

Tomato Transcription Factors Pti4, Pti5, and Pti6 Activate Defense Responses When Expressed in Arabidopsis

Collapse response mediator proteins (CRMPs) are a family of cytoplasmic phosphorylated proteins, and the mechanism of action has always been the research focus of neurological diseases. Previous studies on the CRMPs family have revealed that CRMPs mediate the growth and development of neuronal cytoskeleton through different signaling pathways in the body. It plays an important role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and spinocerebellar ataxia, which has attracted the attention of researchers. This article reviews the recent literature on the biological characteristics and mechanisms of CRMPs in different neurodegenerative diseases.

Yu Han

Papers

Tomato Transcription Factors Pti4, Pti5, and Pti6 Activate Defense Responses When Expressed in Arabidopsis

Research Progress of Collapse Response Mediator Proteins in Neurodegenerative Diseases