AtGRP2, a cold-induced nucleo-cytoplasmic RNA-binding protein, has a role in flower and seed development

• Published in: Planta 2007-05, Vol.225 (6), p.1339-1351
• Main Authors: Fusaro, Adriana Flores, Bocca, Silvia Nora, Ramos, Rose Lucia Braz, Barrôco, Rosa Maria, Magioli, Claudia, Jorge, Vanessa Cardeal, Coutinho, Tatiana Cardoso, Rangel-Lima, Camila Martins, De Rycke, Riet, Inzé, Dirk, Engler, Gilbert, Sachetto-Martins, Gilberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Arabidopsis; Arabidopsis - growth & development; Arabidopsis - metabolism; Arabidopsis Proteins - metabolism; Binding and carrier proteins; Biological and medical sciences; Cold shock; Cold Temperature; Domains; Embryos; Flowering; Flowers; Flowers - growth & development; Flowers - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Glycine; Meristem - metabolism; Nucleic acids; Nucleic Acids - chemistry; Nucleic Acids - metabolism; Plant tissues; Plants; Protein Binding; Protein Transport; Proteins; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA binding proteins; RNA-binding protein; RNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Seeds; Seeds - growth & development; Seeds - metabolism; Transgenic plants
• ISSN: 0032-0935; 1432-2048
• DOI: 10.1007/s00425-006-0444-4

The glycine-rich protein AtGRP2 is one of the four members of the cold-shock domain (CSD) protein family in Arabidopsis. It is characterized by the presence of a nucleic acid-binding CSD domain, two glycine-rich domains and two CCHC zinc-fingers present in nucleic acid-binding proteins. In an attempt to further understand the role of CSD/GRP proteins in plants, we have proceeded to the functional characterization of the AtGRP2 gene. Here, we demonstrate that AtGRP2 is a nucleo-cytoplasmic protein involved in Arabidopsis development with a possible function in cold-response. Expression analysis revealed that the AtGRP2 gene is active in meristematic tissues, being modulated during flower development. Down-regulation of AtGRP2 gene, using gene-silencing techniques resulted in early flowering, altered stamen number and affected seed development. A possible role of AtGRP2 as an RNA chaperone is discussed.