MASTERARBEIT| MASTER'S THESIS

ABSTRACT

Previous work in my host lab identified an 8-bp GATC-containing motif downstream of the transcription start site (TSS) that strongly enhances transcription. Published literature suggests that the GATA family of transcription factors (TFs) are the most likely upstream regulators of this motif. This Master's thesis aims to investigate whether GATA factors control the transcription of genes through the GATC motif, employing two approaches: first, through the degradation of GATA factors via SAP05, a parasitic effector protein, and second, by overexpression of GATA TFs in Arabidopsis. The results from the first approach supported our hypothesis, albeit with a modest effect. Conversely, the second approach provided direct evidence that GATC-containing genes are targets of GATA TFs from class A. In summary, these findings indicate that GATA TFs regulate gene expression through a GATC motif located downstream of the TSS.