Abstract
WIZZ, a gene of which was immediate-early and transiently expressed upon mechanical wounding in tobacco, was previously shown to bind the W-box element. The promoter analysis indicated that the region between -155 and -97 contained cis-element. Yeast one-hybrid screening was conducted using the region as bait, resulting in an identification of an EREBP/AP2-type transcription factor, which belongs to DREB subfamily. DREB subfamily is known to bind to DRE element (GCCGNC). In fact, DRE element exists in the region between -155 and -97 of WIZZ promoter. Gel shift assay confirmed that DRE element was a binding site for the identified factor. Previous microarray analysis led to identification of ACC oxidase gene, which is related in ethylene biosynthesis, to be a candidate of target gene(s) for WIZZ. Promoter of ACC oxidase contains some W-box elements, and in vivo transient transactivation assay revealed WIZZ to be a suppressor for ACC oxidase gene expression.
