Post-translational regulation of plant bZIP factors

The post-translational regulation of transcription factors plays an important role in the control of gene expression in eukaryotes. The mechanisms of regulation include not only factor modifications but also regulated protein-protein interaction, protein degradation and intracellular partitioning. In plants, the basic-region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors contribute to many transcriptional response pathways. Despite this, little is known about their post-translational regulation. Recent findings suggest that plant bZIP factors are under the control of various partially signal-induced and reversible post-translational mechanisms that are crucial for the control of their function. However, the fact that, to date, only a few plant bZIPs have been analyzed with respect to post-translational regulation indicates that we have just identified the tip of an iceberg.