Transcription factors controlling ACC synthase expression in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.)

• Grant number: 14/15172-4
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Menossi Teixeira
• Grantee: Valter Miotto Alessio
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/15576-5 - Molecular approaches to study the relationship between ethylene and sugarcane ripening, AP.BIOEN.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 15/14481-6 - Role of bHLH transcription factors in ACC synthase transcriptional control, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

Ethylene is a phytohormone involved in the regulation of plant development, biotic and abiotic stress response. The reaction catalyzed by the ACS enzyme (ACC synthase) is the limiting step in ethylene biosynthesis. During sugarcane cultivation, the application of ethylene precursors advances the ripening and delays the flowering processes. The mechanisms of ethylene action in such processes remain unknown. An approach to extend the knowledge regarding this gap is the identification of the elements that control the ACS gene expression. Initially we identified transcription factors that bind to the promoter of sugarcane ACS gene as part of the project that began as a master's dissertation. Now, in this study, we aim to validate the promoter sequences of sugarcane ACS genes, confirm the interactions between the transcription factors and the promoter and characterize their expression in different organs of the plant. The results will bring new insights into the regulatory network involved in the ethylene biosynthesis and open perspectives for more detailed studies about the regulatory genes. (AU)