Characterization of the components of HYL1/DRB-family dsRNA-binding protein complexes in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

In various species, proteins that contain dsRNA-binding motifs (dsRBMs) play key roles in the regulation of cellular signaling and gene expression. Arabidopsis thaliana has 16 dsRBM-containing proteins, and we focus on HYL1/DRB-family dsRNA-binding proteins (HYL1/DRB1, DRB2, DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5).
Homozygous drb4-1 mutant plants changed into red-violet color to an extent dependent on their age and anthocyanin accumulation in their leaves had increased. DRB4 cDNA with 35S promoter complemented the phenotype of drb4-1 mutant plants. The results of immunoprecipitation experiments suggested that DRB4 interacts with the Dicer-like protein DCL4 in vivo and functions in the trans-acting siRNA pathway. Now, we are characterizing the components of DRB4 complexes and other DRB complexes.