The possible involvement of a phosphate-induced transcription factor encoded by phi-2 gene from tobacco in ABA-signaling pathways

A novel phosphate-induced gene, phi-2, has been identified by its induction on addition of phosphate to phosphate-starved tobacco BY-2 cells. The predicted gene product of phi-2 has significant homology to a group of bZIP proteins involved in ABA-signaling pathways, and phi-2 also responded to ABA treatment. A previously isolated phosphate-induced gene, phi-1, (Sano et al. (1999) Plant Cell Physiol. 40: 1) was also responsive to ABA. Although phosphate addition induced semi-synchronous cell division in phosphate-starved tobacco BY-2 cells, ABA adversely affected cell division. Detailed examination revealed that the high levels of phosphate required to induce semi-synchronous cell division seemed to be perceived as indicators of stress by the cells. One of the stress indicators perceived by the cells is a cytoplasmic pH change, to which phi-2 and phi-1 genes respond. The different components of the cell's response to phosphate induction are discussed.