Feedback inhibition by thiols outranks glutathione depletion: a luciferase-based screen reveals glutathione-deficient γ-ECS and glutathione synthetase mutants impaired in cadmium-induced sulfate assimilation.

Plants exposed to heavy metals rapidly induce changes in gene expression that activate and enhance detoxification mechanisms, including toxic-metal chelation and the scavenging of reactive oxygen species. However, the mechanisms mediating toxic heavy metal-induced gene expression remain largely unknown. To genetically elucidate cadmium-specific transcriptional responses in Arabidopsis, we designed a genetic screen based on the activation of a cadmium-inducible reporter gene.

ARS5 is a component of the 26S proteasome complex, and negatively regulates thiol biosynthesis and arsenic tolerance in Arabidopsis.

A forward-genetic screen in Arabidopsis led to the isolation of several arsenic tolerance mutants. ars5 was the strongest arsenate- and arsenite-resistant mutant identified in this genetic screen. Here, we report the characterization and cloning of the ars5 mutant gene.

Transcript and metabolite profiling during cold acclimation of Arabidopsis reveals an intricate relationship of cold-regulated gene expression with modifications in metabolite content.

Exposure of Arabidopsis to low temperatures results in cold acclimation where freezing tolerance is enhanced. To achieve a wider view of the role of transcriptome to biochemical changes that occur during cold acclimation, analyses of concurrent transcript and metabolite changes during cold acclimation was performed revealing the dynamics of selected gene-metabolite relationships. Exposure to low temperature resulted in broad transcriptional and metabolite responses.

Identification of an arsenic tolerant double mutant with a thiol-mediated component and increased arsenic tolerance in phyA mutants.

A genetic screen was performed to isolate mutants showing increased arsenic tolerance using an Arabidopsis thaliana population of activation tagged lines. The most arsenic-resistant mutant shows increased arsenate and arsenite tolerance. Genetic analyses of the mutant indicate that the mutant contains two loci that contribute to arsenic tolerance, designated ars4 and ars5.

Exploring the temperature-stress metabolome of Arabidopsis.

Metabolic profiling analyses were performed to determine metabolite temporal dynamics associated with the induction of acquired thermotolerance in response to heat shock and acquired freezing tolerance in response to cold shock. Low-M(r) polar metabolite analyses were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Eighty-one identified metabolites and 416 unidentified mass spectral tags, characterized by retention time indices and specific mass fragments, were monitored.

Physiological and molecular assessment of altered expression of Hsc70-1 in Arabidopsis. Evidence for pleiotropic consequences.

Hsp70s function as molecular chaperones. The protective chaperone activities of hsp70 help to confer tolerance to heat, glucose deprivation, and drought. Overexpression of hsp70s in many organisms correlates with enhanced thermotolerance, altered growth, and development.

Acquired tolerance to temperature extremes.

Acquired tolerance to temperature stresses is a major protective mechanism. Recent advances have revealed key components of stress signal transduction pathways that trigger enhanced tolerance, and several determinants of acquired tolerance have been identified. Although high and low temperature stresses impose different metabolic and physical challenges, acquired tolerance appears to involve general as well as stress-specific components.

The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) protein modification system in Arabidopsis. Accumulation of SUMO1 and -2 conjugates is increased by stress.

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is a member of the superfamily of ubiquitin-like polypeptides that become covalently attached to various intracellular target proteins as a way to alter their function, location, and/or half-life. Here we show that the SUMO conjugation system operates in plants through a characterization of the Arabidopsis SUMO pathway. An eight-gene family encoding the SUMO tag was discovered as were genes encoding the various enzymes required for SUMO processing, ligation, and release.