Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors involved in abiotic stresses: A molecular model of a wheat bZIP factor and implications of its structure in function

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta Vol. 1860; no. 1; pp. 46 - 56
• Main Authors: Sornaraj, Pradeep, Luang, Sukanya, Lopato, Sergiy, Hrmova, Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.01.2016
• Subjects: 14–3-3 proteins; Abiotic stress; Amino Acid Sequence; Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors - chemistry; Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors - physiology; Biotechnology; biotic stress; crop yield; crops; Crops, Agricultural; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein - chemistry; DNA; DNA binding; genes; Genetic Engineering; Homo- and hetero-dimerisation; Kinases; leucine zipper; Models, Molecular; Molecular Sequence Data; Phytohormones; Plant Development; plant organs; post-translational modification; protein degradation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Protein-protein interactions; stress response; Stress, Physiological; transcription factors; wheat; 14–3-3 proteins; Abiotic stress; Phytohormones; Genetic engineering; Plant development; Kinases; DNA binding; Homo- and hetero-dimerisation; Protein-protein interactions
• ISSN: 0304-4165; 0006-3002; 1872-8006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2015.10.014

Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) genes encode transcription factors (TFs) that control important biochemical and physiological processes in plants and all other eukaryotic organisms. Here we present (i) the homo-dimeric structural model of bZIP consisting of basic leucine zipper and DNA binding regions, in complex with the synthetic Abscisic Acid-Responsive Element (ABREsyn); (ii) discuss homo- and hetero-dimerisation patterns of bZIP TFs; (iii) summarise the current progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of function of bZIP TFs, including features determining the specificity of their binding to DNA cis-elements, and (iv) review information on interaction partners of bZIPs during plant development and stress response, as well as on types and roles of post-translational modifications, and regulatory aspects of protein-degradation mediated turn-over. Finally, we (v) recapitulate on the recent advances regarding functional roles of bZIP factors in major agricultural crops, and discuss the potential significance of bZIP-based genetic engineering in improving crop yield and tolerance to abiotic stresses. An accurate analysis and understanding of roles of plant bZIP TFs in different biological processes requires the knowledge of interacting partners, time and location of expression in plant organs, and the information on mechanisms of homo- and hetero-dimerisation of bZIP TFs. Studies on molecular mechanisms of plant bZIP TFs at the atomic levels will provide novel insights into the regulatory processes during plant development, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. •bZIP genes encode transcription factors that function as master regulators of cellular processes.•Analysis of plant bZIPs requires the knowledge of interacting partners, time and location of expression in organs, and the information on mechanisms of oligomerisation.•Understanding of molecular mechanisms of plant bZIPs will provide fresh insights into the regulatory processes of plant development, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses.