Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Biology

Supervisor

Tian, Lining

2nd Supervisor

Henry, Hugh A. L.

Co-Supervisor

Abstract

Current evidence has revealed the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms, including histone deacetylases (HDACs), in plant stress responses. In Arabidopsis thaliana, HDA19, belonging to the RPD3/HDA1 class, interacts with transcription factors to form repressor complexes. HDAC research mainly exists for dicotyledons, whereas research on monocotyledons is limited. Brachypodium distachyon is used as a model plant to investigate questions unique to monocot crops. BdHD1 is the closest homologous gene to HDA19 in B. distachyon. This study investigated potential protein-protein interactions between BdHD1 and each of BdMYB22, BdWRKY24, and BdHOS15. Protein interactions were investigated using yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). Y2H identified an interaction between BdHD1 and each of BdWRKY24, a WRKY transcription factor, and the SANT domain-containing protein BdMYB22. These interactions were confirmed via BiFC. No interaction was observed with BdHOS15. These results suggest BdHD1 interacts with other proteins, which combined with future studies may provide insights for further discovery of BdHD1-complexes in B. distachyon.

Summary for Lay Audience

Current evidence has revealed the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms, including histone deacetylases (HDACs), in plant stress responses. In Arabidopsis thaliana, HDA19, belonging to the RPD3/HDA1 class, interacts with transcription factors to form repressor complexes. HDAC research mainly exists for dicotyledons, whereas research on monocotyledons is limited. Brachypodium distachyon is used as a model plant to investigate questions unique to monocot crops. BdHD1 is the closest homologous gene to HDA19 in B. distachyon. This study investigated potential protein-protein interactions between BdHD1 and each of BdMYB22, BdWRKY24, and BdHOS15. Protein interactions were investigated using yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). Y2H identified an interaction between BdHD1 and each of BdWRKY24, a WRKY transcription factor, and the SANT domain-containing protein BdMYB22. These interactions were confirmed via BiFC. No interaction was observed with BdHOS15. These results suggest BdHD1 interacts with other proteins, which combined with future studies may provide insights for further discovery of BdHD1-complexes in B. distachyon.

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