Biotech Updates

Arabidopsis TBP-associated factor 5: Necessary for Growth and Development

September 2, 2011

TFIID is a multiprotein complex that  functions in transcription initiation of most eukaryotic genes by RNA polymerase II. One of the subunits of TFIID is called the TATA binding protein-associated factor 5 (TAF5). TAF5 is also part of the SptAda-Gcn5-Acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex which functions in histone acetylation. However, the role of TAF5 in the SAGA complex of Arabidopsis is still unknown. Thus, Niki Mougiou and colleagues at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, used reverse genetics to investigate the role of TAF5 in Arabidopsis.

The researchers found that AtTAF5 is an essential gene for plant viability. Analyses showed that AtTAF5 has an important role in regulatory mechanisms occurring in male gametogenesis and pollen tube growth. Arabidopsis taf5 heterozygous mutants exhibited terminal flower-like phenotype, implying that TAF5 could be part of the molecular mechanisms that control indeterminate inflorescence meristems. Therefore, Arabidopsis TAF5 plays a vital role in the growth and development of the plant.

Subscribers of Molecular Breeding may download the article at http://www.springerlink.com/content/0435656838554357/.