Functional analysis of AtRPD3B, a RPD3-type histone deacetylase, in Arabidopsis

Histone acetylation is modulated through the action of histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases, which play key roles in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. The RPD3 group of histone deacetylases constitutes the first class of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in eukaryotes.;In yeast and mammalian cells, it was found that RPD3 histone deacetylases are involved in the ageing and development. In contrast much less is known about the function of RPD3s in plant. Here I studied AtRPD3B, a RPD3-type histone deacetylase in Arabidopsis thaliana, to define its role in plant development and signal transduction pathways. Using the AtRPD3B: GUS transgenic Arabidopsis plants, I demonstrated that the AtRPD3B is induced by the plant hormones, JA, ET and GA and by wounding. Sequence analysis indicated that the AtRPD3B promoter contains multiple hormones and stress responsive motifs. This study provided evidence that AtRPD3B plays a role in the flowering and senescence in Arabidopsis. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).