Identification of a Transcription Factor Regulating High Al Resistance in Rice

摘要

We identified a novel Al resistance gene through the map-based cloning of a rice Al-sensitive mutant STAR3 ( sensitive to aluminum rhizotoxicity 3). STAR3 encodes a putative transcription factor containing C2H2-type zinc finger motifs. STAR3 was constitutively expressed in the root and the expression level was not affected by the Al treatment. Microarray analysis indicated that about 30 transcripts were induced by Al treatment in the wild type but not in the STAR3. Among these genes, STAR1, STAR2 and a close homolog of barley HvAACT1 were included. STAR3 is the first transcription factor identified, which regulates Al-resistance genes in plants.