An Arabidopsis mutation in translation elongation factor 2 causes superinduction of CBF/DREB1 transcription factor genes but blocks the induction of their downstream targets under low temperatures

摘要

Low temperature regulates gene expression in bacteria, yeast, and animals as well as in plants. However, the signal transduction cascades mediating the low temperature responses are not well understood in any organism. To identify components in low temperature signaling genetically, we isolated Arabidopsis thali- ana mutants in which cold-responsive genes are no longer induced by low temperatures. One of these mutations, los1-1, specifically blocks low temperature-induced transcription of cold-responsive genes. Surprisingly, cold-induced expression of the early response transcriptional activators, C-repeat/dehydration responsive ele- ment binding factors (CBF/DREB1s), is enhanced by the los1-1 mutation.