DNA sequences that activate isocitrate lyase gene expression during late embryogenesis and during postgerminative growth

• Published in: Plant physiology (Bethesda) 1996-04, Vol.110 (4), p.1069-1079
• Main Authors: Zhang, J.Z. (Carnegie Institution of Washington, Stanford, CA.), Santes, C.M, Engel, M.L, Gasser, C.S, Harada, J.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACTIVIDAD ENZIMATICA; ACTIVITE ENZYMATIQUE; ADN; ANATOMIA DE LA PLANTA; ANATOMIE VEGETALE; Arabidopsis - embryology; Arabidopsis - genetics; ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA; Brassica - enzymology; Brassica - genetics; CHIMIE; CODE GENETIQUE; CODIGO GENETICO; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; DESARROLLO EMBRIONARIO; DEVELOPPEMENT EMBRYONNAIRE; DNA, Plant; EMBRIONES VEGETALES; Embryogenesis; EMBRYON VEGETAL; Embryos; Enzymes; ETAPAS DE DESARROLLO DE LA PLANTA; EXPRESION GENICA; EXPRESSION DES GENES; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic - genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant - genetics; Gene Regulation and Molecular Genetics; Genes; GENETICA; GENETIQUE; GERMINACION; GERMINATION; GLICOSIDASAS; GLYCOSIDASE; ISOCITRATE LYASE; Isocitrate Lyase - genetics; Isocitrates; ISOCITRATO LIASA; METABOLISME; METABOLISMO; Nucleotide sequences; ORGANITE CELLULAIRE; ORGANULOS CITOPLASMICOS; PLANTAS TRANSGENICAS; PLANTE TRANSGENIQUE; Plants, Genetically Modified; PLANTULAS; PLANTULE; Promoter regions; Promoter Regions, Genetic; QUIMICA; SECUENCIA NUCLEOTIDICA; Seedlings; SEQUENCE NUCLEOTIDIQUE; STADE DE DEVELOPPEMENT VEGETAL; TRANSCRIPCION; TRANSCRIPTION; Transgenic plants
• ISSN: 0032-0889; 1532-2548
• DOI: 10.1104/pp.110.4.1069

We analyzed DNA sequences that regulate the expression of an isocitrate lyase gene from Brassica napus L. during late embryogenesis and during postgerminative growth to determine whether glyoxysomal function is induced by a common mechanism at different developmental stages. beta-Glucuronidase constructs were used both in transient expression assays in B. napus and in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana to identify the segments of the isocitrate lyase 5' flanking region that influence promoter activity. DNA sequences that play the principal role in activating the promoter during postgerminative growth are located more than 1200 bp upstream of the gene. Distinct DNA sequences that were sufficient for high-level expression during late embryogenesis but only low-level expression during postgerminative growth were also identified. Other parts of the 5' flanking region increased promoter activity both in developing seed and in seedlings. We conclude that a combination of elements is involved in regulating the isocitrate lyase gene and that distinct DNA sequences play primary roles in activating the gene in embryos and in seedlings. These findings suggest that different signals contribute to the induction of glyoxysomal function during these two developmental stages. We also showed that some of the constructs were expressed differently in transient expression assays and in transgenic plants