---
pmid: '24808098'
title: The Arabidopsis ZINC FINGER PROTEIN3 Interferes with Abscisic Acid and Light
  Signaling in Seed Germination and Plant Development.
authors:
- Joseph MP
- Papdi C
- Kozma-Bognár L
- Nagy I
- López-Carbonell M
- Rigó G
- Koncz C
- Szabados L
journal: Plant Physiol
year: '2014'
full_text_available: false
pmcid: PMC4081332
doi: 10.1104/pp.113.234294
pubmed_publication_types:
- Journal Article
publication_type: PRIMARY_RESEARCH
---

# The Arabidopsis ZINC FINGER PROTEIN3 Interferes with Abscisic Acid and Light Signaling in Seed Germination and Plant Development.
**Authors:** Joseph MP, Papdi C, Kozma-Bognár L, Nagy I, López-Carbonell M, Rigó G, Koncz C, Szabados L
**Journal:** Plant Physiol (2014)
**DOI:** [10.1104/pp.113.234294](https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.113.234294)
**PMC:** [PMC4081332](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4081332/)

## Abstract

1. Plant Physiol. 2014 Jul;165(3):1203-1220. doi: 10.1104/pp.113.234294. Epub
2014  May 7.

The Arabidopsis ZINC FINGER PROTEIN3 Interferes with Abscisic Acid and Light
Signaling in Seed Germination and Plant Development.

Joseph MP(1), Papdi C(1), Kozma-Bognár L(1), Nagy I(1), López-Carbonell M(1),
Rigó G(1), Koncz C(1), Szabados L(2).

Author information:
(1)Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged,
Hungary (M.P.J., C.P., L.K.-B., I.N., G.R., C.K., L.S.);Department of Plant
Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
(M.L.-C.);Max-Planck-Institut für Züchtungsforschung, 50829 Cologne, Germany
(C.K.); andRoyal Holloway, University of London, Surrey TW20 0EX, United Kingdom
(C.P.).
(2)Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged,
Hungary (M.P.J., C.P., L.K.-B., I.N., G.R., C.K., L.S.);Department of Plant
Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
(M.L.-C.);Max-Planck-Institut für Züchtungsforschung, 50829 Cologne, Germany
(C.K.); andRoyal Holloway, University of London, Surrey TW20 0EX, United Kingdom
(C.P.) szabados@brc.hu.

Seed germination is controlled by environmental signals, including light and
endogenous phytohormones. Abscisic acid (ABA) inhibits, whereas gibberellin
promotes, germination and early seedling development, respectively. Here, we
report that ZFP3, a nuclear C2H2 zinc finger protein, acts as a negative
regulator of ABA suppression of seed germination in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis
thaliana). Accordingly, regulated overexpression of ZFP3 and the closely related
ZFP1, ZFP4, ZFP6, and ZFP7 zinc finger factors confers ABA insensitivity to seed
germination, while the zfp3 zfp4 double mutant displays enhanced ABA
susceptibility. Reduced expression of several ABA-induced genes, such as
RESPONSIVE TO ABSCISIC ACID18 and transcription factor ABSCISIC
ACID-INSENSITIVE4 (ABI4), in ZFP3 overexpression seedlings suggests that ZFP3
negatively regulates ABA signaling. Analysis of ZFP3 overexpression plants
revealed multiple phenotypic alterations, such as semidwarf growth habit,
defects in fertility, and enhanced sensitivity of hypocotyl elongation to red
but not to far-red or blue light. Analysis of genetic interactions with
phytochrome and abi mutants indicates that ZFP3 enhances red light signaling by
photoreceptors other than phytochrome A and additively increases ABA
insensitivity conferred by the abi2, abi4, and abi5 mutations. These data
support the conclusion that ZFP3 and the related ZFP subfamily of zinc finger
factors regulate light and ABA responses during germination and early seedling
development.

© 2014 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

DOI: 10.1104/pp.113.234294
PMCID: PMC4081332
PMID: 24808098