The activation process of Arabidopsis thaliana A1 gene encoding the translation elongation factor EF-1? is conserved among angiosperms

Abstract

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the activation process of the A1 EF-1 alpha gene depends on several elements. Using the GUS reporter gene, transient expression experiments have shown that mutations of upstream cis-acting elements of the A1 promoter, or the deletion of an intron located within the 5' non-coding region, similarly affect expression in dicot or monocot protoplasts. The results reported here strongly suggest that this 5' intron is properly spliced in Zea mays. We show that two trans-acting factors, specifically interacting with an upstream activating sequence (the TEF 1 box), are present in nuclear extracts prepared from A. thaliana, Brassica rapa, Nicotiana tabacum and Z. mays. In addition, a DNA sequence homologous to the TEF 1 box, found at approximately the same location within a Lycopersicon esculentum EF-1 alpha promoter, interacts with the same trans-acting factors. Homologies found between the A. thaliana and L. esculentum TEF 1 box sequences have allowed us to define mutations of this upstream element which affect the interaction with the corresponding trans-acting factors. These results support the notion that the activation processes of A. thaliana EF-1 alpha genes have been conserved among angiosperms and provide interesting data on the functional structure of the TEF 1 box.

De Novo Pyrimidine Nucleotide Synthesis Mainly Occurs outside of Plastids, but a Previously Undiscovered Nucleobase Importer Provides Substrates for the Essential Salvage Pathway in Arabidopsis

“…Gene-specific primers used are listed in Supplemental Table 1 online. The gene EF1a (At1g07930), encoding elongation factor 1a, was used for quantitative normalization (Curie et al, 1991).…”

Uridine-Ribohydrolase Is a Key Regulator in the Uridine Degradation Pathway of Arabidopsis

“…The gene-specific oligonucleotides used for real-time RT-PCR are listed in Supplemental Table 1 online. The gene At1g07930 encoding elongation factor 1a (EF1a) was used for quantitative normalization (Curie et al, 1991). The specificity of all RT-PCR products obtained was controlled on 2% agarose gels.…”

The plant translational apparatus

“…The intron positions and intron/exon boundaries are conserved within the tobacco genes [32]. A fourth intron is located in the Y-untranslated region, reminiscent of the intron located in the 5'-untranslated region of eEFI A genes (see eEF1A) from Arabidopsis [72], tomato [286] and soybean [3]. The purpose of such a large gene family for eIF4A in tobacco is unknown, but may be a result of gene duplication events.…”

“…The genes for plant eEF1A have been extensively studied in Arabidopsis [11,[70][71][72]172]. eEF1A is encoded by four actively transcribed genes in Arabidopsis and the gene organization does not appear to change among different varieties of Arabidopsis [11].…”