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Characterization of a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase homolog from maize roots showing light-regulated gravitropismRoots of many species respond to gravity (gravitropism) and grow downward only if illuminated. This light-regulated root gravitropism is phytochrome-dependent, mediated by calcium, and inhibited by KN-93, a specific inhibitor of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II). A cDNA encoding MCK1, a maize homolog of mammalian CaMK, has been isolated from roots of maize (Zea mays L.). The MCK1 gene is expressed in root tips, the site of perception for both light and gravity. Using the [35S]CaM gel-overlay assay we showed that calmodulin-binding activity of the MCK1 is abolished by 50 microM KN-93, but binding is not affected by 5 microM KN-93, paralleling physiological findings that light-regulated root gravitropism is inhibited by 50 microM KN-93, but not by 5 microM KN-93. KN-93 inhibits light-regulated gravitropism by interrupting transduction of the light signal, not light perception, suggesting that MCK1 may play a role in transducing light. This is the first report suggesting a physiological function for a CaMK homolog in light signal transduction.
Document ID
20040173315
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Lu, Y. T.
(University of California Berkeley 94720, United States)
Hidaka, H.
Feldman, L. J.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1996
Publication Information
Publication: Planta
Volume: 199
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0032-0935
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Program Space Biology
NASA Discipline Plant Biology
NASA Discipline Number 40-50
Non-NASA Center

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