Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Sci. Signal., 10 June 2008
Vol. 1, Issue 23, p. pe28
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.123pe28]

PERSPECTIVES

Dual Functions of the KNOTTED1 Homeodomain: Sequence-Specific DNA Binding and Regulation of Cell-to-Cell Transport

Nathalie Bolduc1, Sarah Hake1, and David Jackson2*

1Plant Gene Expression Center, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA.
2Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.

Abstract: Homeodomain proteins are well-characterized developmental regulators that control expression of target genes through sequence-specific DNA binding. The homeodomain forms a trihelical structure, with the third helix conferring specific interactions with the DNA major groove. A specific class of plant homeodomain proteins, called KNOX [KNOTTED1 (KN1)-like homeobox], also has the ability to signal between cells by directly trafficking through intercellular channels called plasmodesmata. Trafficking is mediated by a signal that is also contained within the homeodomain. Movement protein binding protein 2C was identified as a protein that interacts with the KN1 homeodomain and regulates the cell-to-cell trafficking of KN1 by sequestering the protein on microtubules. Therefore, KN1 has multiple potential cellular addresses, each of which is conferred by its homeodomain.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: jacksond{at}cshl.edu

Citation: N. Bolduc, S. Hake, D. Jackson, Dual Functions of the KNOTTED1 Homeodomain: Sequence-Specific DNA Binding and Regulation of Cell-to-Cell Transport. Sci. Signal. 1, pe28 (2008).

Read the Full Text

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
To Gate, or Not to Gate: Regulatory Mechanisms for Intercellular Protein Transport and Virus Movement in Plants.
S. Ueki and V. Citovsky (2011)
Mol Plant 4, 782-793
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »

To Advertise     Find Products

Science Signaling. ISSN 1937-9145 (online), 1945-0877 (print). Pre-2008: Science's STKE. ISSN 1525-8882