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JONATHAN ARIAS
Visiting Associate Research Scientist
Ph.D., 1990 University of Colorado, Boulder
Postdoctoral, 1990-1995, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
arias@umbc.edu; Voice (410) 455-3470; FAX (410) 455-3875;
Research Interests
Plant transcription factors and target gene networks
Higher plants respond to infection, wounding, and stress by synthesizing protective compounds. Key enzymes required for the synthesis of these compounds are encoded by genes whose rate of transcription is rapidly increased in response to environmental cues. This response is likely to involve a change in the promoter binding or trans-activation potential of cognate DNA-binding transcription factors. Using a combination of state-of-the art approaches with the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, we are identifying specific gene regulatory networks of individual plant transcription factors that constitute a small but highly conserved plant subclass of basic/leucine zipper transcriptional activator proteins termed “TGA factors”.
Selected Publications
Johnson, C., Boden, E., and Arias, J. (2003). Salicylic acid and NPR1 induce recruitment of trans-acting TGA to a defense gene promoter in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell 15:1846-1858.
Redman, J., Whitcraft, J., Gulam, H., and Arias, (2002). J. Abiotic and biotic stress differentially stimulate As-1 element activity in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell Rep. 21:180-185.
Johnson, J., Boden, E., Desai, M., Pascuzzi, P., and Arias, J. (2001). In vivo target promoter binding activities of a xenobiotic stress-activated TGA factor. Plant J. 28(2), 237-243.
Johnson, C., Glover, G., and Arias, J. Regulation of DNA binding and trans-activation by a xenobiotic stress-activated plant transcription factor. J. Biol Chem. 276, 172-178 (2001).
Klinedinst. S., Pascuzzi, P., Redman, J., and Arias, J. A xenobiotic-stress activated transcription factor and its cognate target genes are preferentially expressed in root tip meristems. Plant Mol. Biol., 42, 679-688 (2000).
Pascuzzi, P., Hamilton, D., Bodily, K, and Arias, J. Auxin-induced stress potentiates trans-activation by a conserved plant basic/leucine-zipper factor. J. Biol. Chem., 273:26631-26637 (1998).