Abstract

The regulation and functional steps of leaf senescence is a complex phenomenon involving the activation of many biochemical and regulatory pathways. As a result of previous studies, some genes related to senescence (SAGs = Senescence Associated Genes) have been identified to understand the molecular mechanism of leaf senescence. This study was designed to investigate the association potential of ANAC018, ANAC019, MYB75 (PAP1) and MYB2 genes with senescence. For this purpose, GUS (β-glucuronidase) and GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) markers and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. (ecotype Columbia) plants containing ANAC018, ANAC019, MYB75 (PAP1), MYB2 promoter genes were used. GUS and GFP analyses were used to determine when the promoter is active in which cells or cell types. Dark-induced senescence model was designed and the time and the cell types where the genes were active were determined by using GUS staining and confocal microscopy. The results showed that ANAC018, ANAC019, MYB75 (PAP1) and MYB2 genes were active in epidermis, nucleus of epidermal cells, mesophyll and stomata cells during senescence and these genes were found to play a role in leaf senescence.