The basic helix loop helix domain of maize R links transcriptional regulation and histone modifications by recruitment of an EMSY-related factor.

ABSTRACT: The control of anthocyanin accumulation in maize by the cooperation of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein R with the MYB transcription factor C1 provides one of the best examples of plant combinatorial transcriptional control. Establishing the function of the bHLH domain of R has remained elusive, and so far no proteins that interact with this conserved domain have been identified. We show here that the bHLH domain of R is dispensable for the activation of transiently expressed genes yet is essential for the activation of the endogenous genes in their normal chromatin environment. The activation of A1, one of the anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, is associated with increased acetylation of histone 3 (H3) at K9/K14 in the promoter region to which the C1/R complex binds. We identified R

SUBMITTER: Hernandez JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2040437 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature