AFC2 Antibody

Definition and Biological Context

AFC2 (Arabidopsis LAMMER kinase 2) is a serine/threonine kinase in Arabidopsis thaliana that modulates high-temperature-induced alternative splicing. It interacts with transcription factors such as PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4) and BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1 (BZR1) to regulate plant growth under thermal stress .

Experimental Applications

AFC2 antibodies are primarily used to study kinase activity and protein interactions in plant systems. Key applications include:

• Western blotting: Detecting AFC2 protein expression in transgenic Arabidopsis lines.

• Immunoprecipitation: Isolating AFC2-protein complexes (e.g., PIF4, BZR1) to study signaling pathways .

Role in Thermomorphogenesis

AFC2 phosphorylates PIF4 and BZR1 to inhibit their DNA-binding activity, thereby attenuating high-temperature-induced hypocotyl elongation. Genetic knockout (afc2-1 mutants) results in hypersensitive growth responses to heat .

Alternative Splicing Regulation

AFC2 desensitizes temperature-responsive splicing events by antagonizing the splicing factor SKIP. This mechanism ensures balanced growth under fluctuating thermal conditions .

Limitations and Gaps

Key Experimental Models

• Arabidopsis thaliana afc2-1: A T-DNA insertion mutant (SALK_118114) used to characterize AFC2 loss-of-function phenotypes .