Plant synthetic promoters and transcription factors. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Wusheng; Stewart, C Neal
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in biotechnology. Volume 37(2016)
• Page Start: 36
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2015.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-1669

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Synthetic promoters and transcription factors are key enabling tools for plant synthetic biology. Type, copy number and spacing of motifs are important for synthetic promoter engineering. Various DNA binding and effector domains are parts for synthetic transcription factor engineering. They can be paired for coordinated expression of multiple genes for metabolic engineering. They can also be paired for a dynamic transcriptional control of synthetic networks. Abstract : Synthetic promoters and transcription factors (TFs) have become incredibly powerful and efficient components for precise regulation of targeted plant transgene expression. Synthetic promoters can be rationally designed and constructed using specific type, copy number and spacing of motifs placed upstream of synthetic or native core promoters. Similarly, synthetic TFs can be constructed using a variety of DNA binding domains (DBDs) and effector domains. Synthetic promoters and TFs can provide tremendous advantages over their natural counterparts with regards to transgene expression strength and specificity. They will probably be needed for coordinated transgene expression for metabolic engineering and synthetic circuit applications in plants for bioenergy and advanced crop engineering. In this article we review the recent advances in synthetic promoters and TFs in plants and speculate on their future.