Abstract
Eucalyptus is a major raw material for paper manufacturing in the world. To improve the fiber properties, we are studying the Eucalyptus transcription factors (TFs). Previously, we reported several TF genes which might be involved in fiber development. EcHB1, is one of the TFs, encodes a HD-ZIP II factor. In this report, we show the results of the characterization of the EcHB1.
To characterize the function of EcHB1, we analyzed the interactions between EcHB1 and promoters of fiber-related genes using FCS method. From this assay, we detected the interactions of EcHB1 and XTH, CCOMT promoters. The expression of XTH and CCOMT genes were up or down-regulated in 35S::EcHB1 transformed Eucalyptus cali. Fiber length of transgenic tobacco harboring 35S::EcHB1 was longer than that of wild type. These results suggest that the EcHB1 is a novel transcription factor related to fiber development.
