Calmodulin-binding transcription activator 1 mediates auxin signaling and responds to stresses in Arabidopsis

Auxin is a key plant hormone that regulates various aspects of plant development. However, the mechanisms integrating auxin growth effects with stress responses are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the possible role of calmodulin-binding transcription activator 1 (CAMTA1), an Arabidopsis thaliana calcium/calmodulin-binding transcription activator, in auxin signaling and its responses to different stresses. Plants harboring the AtCAMTA1 promoter fused to the GUS reporter gene revealed cell-specific expression patterns reminiscent of auxin responses. The responsiveness of CAMTA1 to auxin was further assessed by chemical disturbances in polar auxin transport, and by RT-PCR analysis of gene expression of dissected leaf sections from plants exposed to the auxin transport inhibitor NPA. Furthermore, the intensity and cell-specific expression patterns of CAMTA1 changed significantly and differentially on exposure to increasing salt concentrations and heat. Transcriptome analysis of a camta1 T-DNA insertion mutant revealed 63 up-regulated genes, of which 17 are associated with auxin signaling. Finally, analysis of hypocotyl elongation in the presence and absence of auxin revealed that camta1 T-DNA insertion mutants and CAMTA1-repressor lines are hyper-responsive to auxin compared to wild-type seedlings. Thus, CAMTA1 participates in auxin signaling and responds to abiotic stresses.