Isolation and characterization of a novel cDNA encoding methyl jasmonate-responsive transcription factor TcAP2 from Taxus cuspidata

A novel transcription factor, TcAP2, was isolated from Taxus cuspidata by yeast one-hybrid strategy. This factor interacts with jasmonate- and elicitor-responsive element. Analysis of the deduced TcAP2 amino acid sequence revealed that TcAP2 contained a conserved AP2/ethylene-responsive element binding protein domain that consisted of 268 amino acids in a potential nuclear localization sequence. The factor of TcAP2 had a high homology, in its AP2 domain, to other AP2 family members. Based on phylogenetic analysis, it was different from other five DRE-binding proteins in their evolutionary relationship. The transcription of TcAP2 gene in yew accumulated primarily in young organs, such as young stems. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis indicated that TcAP2 gene was inducible to express by treatments with methyl jasmonate plus salicylic acid, high salinity, and cold. This gene showed no response to either abscisic acid or drought treatment.