Abstract
Plant gene expression involves plant-specific classes of transcription factors, which are intimately associated with a variety of plant-specific phenomena. The Dof family is a typical example of such transcription factors. We discovered the first Dof transcription factor (maize Dof1) and identified a novel DNA-binding domain within Dof1. Because this domain appeared to form a single zinc finger, I named it the Dof (DNA-binding with one finger) domain. We also showed that Dof1 is a transcriptional activator involved in leaf-specific and light-responsive expression of the C4 photosynthetic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene. Other Dof transcription factors also appear to play vital roles in diverse plant-specific biological processes. I talk the overview of the Dof family, highlighting the function of maize Dof1. I also show our recent successful application of maize Dof1 to biotechnology, that is, enhancement of photosynthetic nitrogen assimilation in transgenic plants expressing Dof1.
