Protein phosphatase NtPP2C2b and MAP kinase NtMPK4 act in concert to modulate nicotine biosynthesis.

ABSTRACT: Protein phosphatases (PPs) and protein kinases (PKs) regulate numerous developmental, defense, and phytohormone signaling processes in plants. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism governing biosynthesis of specialized metabolites, such as alkaloids, by the combined effects of PPs and PKs, is insufficiently understood. Here, we report the characterization of a group B protein phosphatase type 2C, NtPP2C2b, that likely acts upstream of the NICOTINE2 locus APETALA 2/Ethylene Response Factors (AP2/ERFs), to regulate nicotine biosynthesis in tobacco. Similar to the nicotine pathway genes, NtPP2C2b is highly expressed in roots and induced by jasmonic acid (JA). Overexpression of NtPP2C2b in transgenic hairy roots or stable transgenic tobacco plants repressed nicotine pathway gene express

SUBMITTER: Liu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7921305 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature