Jonathan A. Arias
Ph.D., 1990, University of Colorado, Boulder
Assistant Professor
Center for Agricultural Biotechnology
Plant Sciences Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Phone: (301)-405-5353
E-mail: arias@umbi.umd.edu
Research: Investigation of plant transcription factors and target genes using functional genomic, genetic and molecular biology strategies.
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 activity of cognate DNA-binding factors. A growing body of evidence, moreover, supports the notion that protein kinases and phosphatases of plants play a key role in the regulation of specific genes. In other eukaryotes, changes in the phosphorylation state of transcription factors can alter their cell compartmentalization, DNA-binding, or trans-activation potential. Using novel molecular and proteomics-based approaches, we are identifying specific target genes and co-regulators of individual plant transcription factors, as well as their cellular regulatory networks.

The expression of an increasing number of nuclear genes is now known to require specific protein mediators, or coactivators, that link the activities of DNA-binding factors to the RNA polymerase II- dependent transcriptional machinery. To better understand how eukaryotic gene expression is regulated, my laboratory will clone and functionally characterize mediators of plant transcription.

In addition to advancing our basic understanding of transcription, it is envisioned that this work may lead to the development of plants with novel signal pathways that modulate target gene responses. 

Selected Publications:

 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).

 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).

 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).

Johnson, J., Boden, E., Desai, M., Pascuzzi, P., and Arias, J.  In vivo target promoter binding activities of a xenobiotic stress-activated TGA factor.  Plant J. (In Press).

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