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Functional characterization of tomato membrane-bound NAC transcription factors

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Genome-wide analysis was carried out to identify and analyze differential expression pattern of tomato membrane bound NAC transcription factors (SlNACMTFs) during stresses. Two biotic-stress-related SlNACMTFs have been characterized to elucidate their regulatory function.

Abstract

NAC transcription factors are known regulators of stress-related gene expression. As Stresses are perceived and transmitted by membrane-bound proteins, functional characterization of membrane-associated NAC transcription factors in tomato can reveal valuable insight about membrane-mediated stress-signalling. Tomato genome encodes 13 NAC genes which have predicted transmembrane domain(s) (SlNACMTFs). mRNA of 12 SlNACMTFs were readily detected in multiple tissues, and also in polysome isolated from leaf, confirming active transcription and translation from these genes occur under normal physiological condition. Additionally, most of the SlNACMTFs were differentially regulated during stresses and stress-related transcription factor binding sites are prevalent in their promoters. SlNACMTF3 and 8 were majorly regulated in biotic and abiotic stresses. Like other MTFs, SlNACMTF3 was translocated to the plasma membrane, whereas the C-terminus truncated (ΔC) form localized in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Accordingly, the ΔC forms significantly influenced the activity of promoters harbouring NAC binding sites (NACbs). Furthermore, the NAC domain of these transcription factors could directly interact with an NACbs, and the proteins failed to regulate a promoter lacking a crucial NACbs. Interestingly, the type of influence to an NACbs containing promoter was dependent on the context of the NACbs, as the same SlNACMTF showed an alternative mode of regulation on different promoters, as well as the same promoter activity was oppositely regulated by two different SlNACMTF. Finally, both SlNACMTFs demonstrated the differential regulatory effect on the expression of several stress-related genes by interacting with the putative NACbs in their promoter region, suggesting their direct role in plant stress response.

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Acknowledgements

The ToLCNDV agroinfiltration constructs used in this study were generous gifts from Prof. Sunil Mukherjee, ICGEB. Primers for miR167 detection were designed by Ms. Jayanti Jodder. Authors are thankful to Drs. Debabrata Basu and Shubho Chaudhuri for their support, and Central Instrument Facility (CIF) of Bose Institute for all sequencing services. Authors are also thankful to Mr. Sougata Bhattacharya for support in bioinformatic analysis. PB is thankful to UGC, Govt. of India for fellowship. This work is supported by a project from CSIR, Govt. of India to PK.

Author contributions

PB and PK designed the research. PB carried out all experiments. PB and PK analyzed the data. RD and AM have provided some reagents. PB and PK wrote the manuscript.

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  1. Division of Plant Biology, Bose Institute, P1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata, 700054, India

    Payel Bhattacharjee, Rohit Das, Arunava Mandal & Pallob Kundu

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  1. Payel Bhattacharjee
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  2. Rohit Das
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  3. Arunava Mandal
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Correspondence to Pallob Kundu.

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Bhattacharjee, P., Das, R., Mandal, A. et al. Functional characterization of tomato membrane-bound NAC transcription factors. Plant Mol Biol 93, 511–532 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-016-0579-z

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