A mutation in ELA1, an age-dependent negative regulator of PAP1/MYB75, causes UV- and cold stress-tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings

Seungwon Choi, Ye Rim Kwon, Md Aktar Hossain, Suk Whan Hong, Byeong ha Lee, Hojoung Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

UV light is one of several severe abiotic stresses encountered by terrestrial plants. It is impairing cellular metabolism and causing cell death by damaging DNA, proteins, and lipids. Phenolics including various flavonoids serve as "sunscreens" to UV exposure; in particular, flavonoids play pivotal roles in absorbing free radicals, quenching singlet oxygen, and decomposing peroxides. Here, we screened Arabidopsis thaliana for a UV-tolerant mutant with elevated flavonoid levels, and identified the recessive ela1 mutant. We demonstrate that the enhanced UV stress-tolerance shown in the ela1 mutant seems to be conferred by high levels of UV-absorbing pigments such as anthocyanins. The ela1 mutant exhibited novel characteristics as a negative regulator of PAP1 and cold stress-tolerance, and its role is specific to early stages of A. thaliana development. Our results clearly suggest that flavonoid biosynthesis is regulated by a developmental program where ELA1 participates as an important regulatory component.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)678-686
Number of pages9
JournalPlant Science
Volume176
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009 May

Keywords

  • Anthocyanin
  • Arabidopsis thaliana
  • Chalcone synthase
  • Cold stress
  • PAP1/MYB75
  • UV stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Plant Science

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