The Arabidopsis thaliana ethylene-responsive element binding protein (AtEBP) can function as a dominant suppressor of Bax-induced cell death of yeast

We identified genes based on screening of an Arabidopsis cDNA library for f unctional suppressors of mouse Bax-induced cell death of yeast cells. Inter estingly, the cDNA encoding AtEBP, known as Arabidopsis thaliana ethylene-r esponsive element binding protein, was isolated numerous times in the funct ional screen (82% of all suppressors). Full-length AtEBP and its localizati on to the nucleus were essential for the suppression of Bax-induced cell de ath. Morphological abnormality of intracellular network that is a hallmark of Bax-induced cell death was attenuated by expression of AtEBP. (C) 2001 F ederation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.