PIF3, a phytochrome-interacting factor necessary for normal photoinduced signal transduction, is a novel basic helix-loop-helix protein.

The mechanism by which the phytochrome (phy) photoreceptor family transduces informational light signals to photoresponsive genes is unknown. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we have identified a phytochrome-interacting factor, PIF3, a basic helix-loop-helix protein containing a PAS domain. PIF3 binds to wild-type C-terminal domains of both phyA and phyB, but ...
less strongly to signaling-defective, missense mutant-containing domains. Expression of sense or antisense PIF3 sequences in transgenic Arabidopsis perturbs photoresponsiveness in a manner indicating that PIF3 functions in both phyA and phyB signaling pathways in vivo. PIF3 localized to the nucleus in transient transfection experiments, indicating a potential role in controlling gene expression. Together, the data suggest that phytochrome signaling to photoregulated genes includes a direct pathway involving physical interaction between the photoreceptor and a transcriptional regulator.
Mesh Terms:
Arabidopsis, Arabidopsis Proteins, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors, Cell Nucleus, DNA, Plant, Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs, Molecular Sequence Data, Oligonucleotides, Antisense, Photoreceptor Cells, Phytochrome, Phytochrome A, Phytochrome B, Plants, Genetically Modified, Sequence Homology, Amino Acid, Signal Transduction, Transcription Factors, Transfection, Yeasts
Cell
Date: Nov. 25, 1998
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