The redox-sensitive transcription factor Rap2.4a controls nuclear expression of 2-Cys peroxiredoxin A and other chloroplast antioxidant enzymes

• Main Authors: Birkmann Stefan, Hiltscher Heiko, Ströher Elke, Seidel Thorsten, Heiber Isabelle, Shaikhali Jehad, Dietz Karl-Josef, Baier Margarete
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2008-04-01
• Series: BMC Plant Biology
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2229/8/48

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The regulation of the chloroplast antioxidant capacity depends on nuclear gene expression. For the 2-Cys peroxiredoxin-A gene (2CPA) a <it>cis</it>-regulatory element was recently characterized, which responds to photosynthetic redox signals.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In a yeast-one-hybrid screen for <it>cis</it>-regulatory binding proteins, the transcription factor Rap2.4a was isolated. Rap2.4a controls the transcript abundance of the prominent chloroplast antioxidant enzyme through binding to the CGCG core of a CE3-like element. Rap2.4a activity is regulated by dithiol/disulfide transition of regulatory cysteinyl residues and subsequent changes in the quaternary structure. The mid-point redox potential of Rap2.4a activation is -269 mV (pH 7.0).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The redox sensitivity of Rap2.4a establishes an efficient switch mechanism for redox control of nuclear gene activity of chloroplast antioxidants, in which Rap2.4 is a redox-sensor and a transducer of redox information.</p>