S. Kurup et al., Interactions of the developmental regulator ABI3 with proteins identified from developing Arabidopsis seeds, PLANT J, 21(2), 2000, pp. 143-155
The ABI3 locus is a major regulator of embryo development in Arabidopsis an
d is essential for the simultaneous activation of the maturation pathway, a
s well as repression of germination and seedling development. We used a two
-hybrid screen in yeast in order to identify proteins that interact with AB
I3. Four ABI3-interacting proteins (AIPs) were identified which showed spec
ific in vivo and in vitro interactions with the C-terminal region of ABI3 t
hat contains the B2 and B3 domains, previously shown to have DNA binding ac
tivity. The expression characteristics of the genes encoding the AIPs have
also been analysed in wild-type and abi3, lec1 and fus3 embryo mutants. Thi
s analysis demonstrated differential expression of these genes during norma
l embryo development and in the mutant lines. All the AIPs show homology to
existing transcription factors and therefore they may function with ABI3 w
ithin the network of transcriptional regulators that control embryo develop
ment in Arabidopsis.