Description
We identified a small zinc finger protein, MBS, as a new mediator of singlet oxygen responses in Chlamydomonas and Arabidopsis. MBS is required for induction of singlet oxygen-dependent gene expression and, upon oxidative stress, accumulates in distinct granules in the cytosol of Arabidopsis cells. First, we recorded changes in light stress-regulated gene expression profiles after genetically perturbing MBS function by isolating mutants for the two MBS genes (MBS1 and MBS2) and by overexpression of MBS1 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Then, these light stress-related gene expression profiles were analyzed with respect to genes specifically responding to singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide/superoxide. The results indicated that MBS inactivation leads to an impaired response to singlet oxygen signaling under light stress.