| Type: | Domain | Name: | AP2/ERF domain |
| Description: | Ethylene is an endogenous plant hormone that influences many aspects of plant growth and development. Some defense related genes that are induced byethylene contain a cis-regulatory element known as the Ethylene- Responsive Element (ERE) []. Sequence analysis on various ERE regionshas identified a short motif rich in G/C nucleotides, the GCC-box, essential for the response to ethylene. This short motif is recognised by a family oftranscrition factors, the ERE binding factors (ERF) [].ERF proteins contain a domain of around 60 amino acids which is also found in the APETALA2 (AP2) protein []. This AP2/ERF domain has been shown in variousproteins to be necessary and sufficient to bind the GCC-box [].The structure of the AP2/ERF domain in complex with the target DNA has been solved []. The structure resembles that of bacteriophage integrases and the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD): a three-stranded beta-sheet and an alpha helix almost parallel to the beta-sheet. It contacts DNA via Arg and Trp residues located in the beta-sheet. Some proteins known to contain an AP2/ERF domain include: Arabidopsis thaliana ERF1 to 6. Tobacco ethylene-responsive element-binding proteins (EREBPs), homologues of ERF proteins. Arabidopsis thaliana AP2 protein. It regulates meristeme identity, floral organ specification and seed coat development. Arabidopsis thaliana C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element (DRE) binding factor 1 (CBF1 or DREB1) and DREB2. They bind a GCC-box-like element found in dehydratation responsive element. Binding to this element mediates cold-inducible transcription. Arabidopsis thaliana and maize abscisic acid (ABA)-insensitive 4 (ABI4) proteins. They bind to a GCC-box-like element found in ABA-responsive genes.Octadecanoid-derivative responsive catharenthus AP2-domain (ORCA2) protein. It binds a GCC-box-like element in the jasmonate responsive element of Str promoter. Tomato Pto-interacting proteins 4 to 6 (Pti4 to Pti6). Pti5 and 6 bind a GCC-box-like element in regulatory regions of various pathogenesis-related (PR) genes. Trichodesmium erythraeum, Tetrahymena thermophila, Enterobacteria phage RB49 and bacteriophage Felix 01 HNH endonucleases. HNH endonucleases are homing endonucleases that move extensively via lateral gene transfer []. This entry represents the AP2/ERF domain. | Short Name: | AP2/ERF_dom |
