Ethylene-responsive factor 8 (ERF8), a member of AP2/ERF superfamily, is one
of the transcription factors involved in repression of leaf senescence in
plants. Leaf senescence is the final stage of leaf development and involves
the mobilization of nutrients from old leaves to newly growing tissue.
Regulation of leaf senescence depends on the developmental age of plants,
and it is also influenced by various external stimuli.

Studies have shown that combination of ERF8 and ERF4 is key in signaling
pathways related to the progression of leaf senescence. However, there were
no investigations conducted specifically about ERF8. Therefore,
investigating function and interaction of ERF8 is considered an effective
strategy to control plant resistance against stress factors.

In a study conducted by Nguyen Thanh Huyen and colleagues, ERF8 was
amplified from cDNA of Arabidopsis thaliana by Polymerase Chain Reaction,
then cloned into pTZ257R/T vector. This
[www.isaaa.org] gene
then was subcloned into the expression vector pGEX-5X and expressed in
Escherichia coli strain BL21. The researchers analyzed the factors and
determined the optimal conditions for the expression of ERF8 protein in E.
coli train BL21 (at 30oC after 3 hours induction with 0.5 mM IPTG). Finally,
ERF8 recombinant protein was purified by affinity chromatography for further
studies.



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