BTS — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT3G18290, known as BTS (BRUTUS) in Arabidopsis thaliana, encodes a protein with hemerythrin-like and zinc-finger domains that exhibits ubiquitin ligase activity, iron binding, and DNA-binding transcription factor activity. BTS is associated with cellular and multicellular iron ion homeostasis, response to iron starvation, tetrapyrrole and chlorophyll biosynthesis, auxin metabolism, and coumarin and glucosinolate anabolism. The protein localizes to the nucleus, cytoplasm, membrane, and trans-Golgi network. BTS has been linked to traits including iron sensitivity and content, leaf necrosis and chlorosis, cadmium concentration, root length, ethylene and auxin sensitivity, oxidative stress response, disease tolerance, and photochemical quenching. Phenotypic associations include embryo lethality, iron homeostasis and sensing, gravitropism, lateral root formation, drought stress response, and seed iron concentration. Studies of related genes in other species connect the BTS family to root morphology and nitrate sensitivity.