Dof transcription factors control the expression of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome activator CCS52A1

Abstract

Endoreduplication, a modified cell cycle process in which the cellular DNA level increases without subsequent cell division, is a key component of growth and development of plants. CCS52A1, a substrate-specific activator of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), is essential for the transition from mitosis to endoreduplication. Here, we show that DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) transcription factors directly regulate the transcription of the CCS52A1 gene. Dof proteins are plant-specific transcription factors involved in plant growth and development processes, such as phytohormone and light signaling, defense response, and seed germination. We performed yeast one-hybrid screening using an Arabidopsis transcription factor library and identified several Dof transcription factors as novel CCS52A1 promoterbinding proteins. Protoplast transient assay showed that the Dof proteins, such as CDF1, CDF2, CDF3, and COG1, function as transcriptional repressors of CCS52A1. All of these Dof transcription factors were localized to the nucleus. Our data imply that CDF1, CDF2, CDF3, and COG1 control plant growth and development through the regulation of CCS52A1 expression. © 2013 The Japanese Society for Plant Cell and Molecular Biology.