Figure 4

ATAF2 functions as a transcriptional activator. (A) β-galactosidase (LacZ) assay indicating both ATAF2 and ΔATAF2 are capable of activating lacZ expression in yeast. L40 yeast expressing an integrated Lac-Z reporter were transformed with constructs LexA (empty), LexA-ATAF2, LexA-HEL, or LexA-ΔATAF2. HEL represents TMV encoded helicase domain and was used as a negative control. (B) ATAF2, but not ΔATAF2, trans-activates GUS expression via the 30 bp ATAF2 binding sequence. The reporter constructs 35SM-GUS, 2X30bp-GUS, or 4X30bp-GUS were co-expressed with the pBin empty vector (circle 1), pBin/ΔATAF2 (circle 2) or pBin/ATAF2 (circle 3) in N. benthamiana leaves.