Wheat DOF transcription factors TaSAD and WPBF regulate glutenin gene expression in cooperation with SPA

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287645
• Publication Date: 2023-06-24T23:11:32Z
• Authors: Marielle Merlino; Jean-Charles Gaudin; Mireille Dardevet; Pierre Martre; Catherine Ravel; Julie Boudet
• Keywords: Glutenin; Hordein; Prolamin; Glutelin

Grain storage proteins (GSPs) quantity and composition determine the end-use value of wheat flour. GSPs consists low-molecular-weight glutenins (LMW-GS), high-molecular-weight (HMW-GS) gliadins. GSP gene expression is controlled by a complex network DNA-protein protein-protein interactions, which coordinate tissue-specific protein during grain development. The regulatory has been most extensively studied in barley, particularly two transcription factors (TFs) DNA binding with One Finger (DOF) family, barley Prolamin-box Binding Factor (BPBF) Scutellum Aleurone-expressed DOF (SAD). They activate hordein synthesis to Prolamin box, motif promoter. BPBF ortholog previously identified wheat, WPBF, transcriptional activity some genes. Here, SAD, named TaSAD, was identified. TaSAD promoter sequences vitro its vivo were investigated. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays, recombinant WPBF bound cis-motifs like those located on HMW-GS LMW-GS promoters known bind TFs. We showed transient assays endosperms that expression. Moreover, co-bombardment Storage Protein Activator (SPA) or had an additive effect genes, possibly through conserved cooperative interactions.