Molecular and phylogenetic characterization of the sieve element occlusion gene family in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fabaceae</Emphasis> and non-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fabaceae</Emphasis>plants

Background  

The phloem of dicotyledonous plants contains specialized P-proteins (phloem proteins) that accumulate during sieve element differentiation and remain parietally associated with the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum in mature sieve elements. Wounding causes P-protein filaments to accumulate at the sieve plates and block the translocation of photosynthate. Specialized, spindle-shaped P-proteins known as forisomes that undergo reversible calcium-dependent conformational changes have evolved exclusively in the Fabaceae. Recently, the molecular characterization of three genes encoding forisome components in the model legume Medicago truncatula (MtSEO1, MtSEO2 and MtSEO3; SEO = sieve element occlusion) was reported, but little is known about the molecular characteristics of P-proteins in non-Fabaceae.     

阜豆GmABC基因的克隆及表达分析

利用RACE技术从大豆品种‘阜豆11号’中克隆到1个ABC转运蛋白基因,该基因cDNA全长为4 693bp,其中开放读码框4 341bp,编码1 447个氨基酸,分子量162.5kD,具有高度保守的ATP结合位点,命名为GmABC。蛋白序列比对结果显示,该基因编码蛋白属于PDR(pleiotropic drug resistance)多向耐药性蛋白家族成员。系统进化树分析显示,GmABC与苜蓿PDR亲缘关系最近,相似性达84%。基因表达分析显示,GmABC受镉诱导表达,当Cd2+浓度达到100mg.L-1时,其表达量最高。研究表明,GmABC可能对阜豆镉胁迫抗性发挥重要作用。     

Recombinant artificial forisomes provide ample quantities of smart biomaterials for use in technical devices

Forisomes are mechanoproteins that undergo ATP-independent contraction–expansion cycles triggered by divalent cations, pH changes, and electrical stimuli. Although native forisomes from Medicago truncatula comprise a number of subunits encoded by separate genes, here we show that at least two of those subunits (MtSEO1 and MtSEO4) can assemble into homomeric forisome bodies that are functionally similar to their native, multimeric counterparts. We expressed these subunits in plants and yeast, resulting in the purification of large quantities of artificial forisomes with unique characteristics depending on the expression platform. These artificial forisomes were able to contract and expand in vitro like native forisomes and could respond to electrical stimulation when immobilized between interdigital transducer electrodes. These results indicate that recombinant artificial forisomes with specific characteristics can be prepared in large amounts and used as components of microscale and nanoscale devices.     

丹参SmPI1和SmPI2基因克隆及胁迫表达研究

该研究从药用植物丹参中克隆了SmPI1和SmPI2蛋白酶抑制剂基因,采用生物信息学和实时荧光定量PCR方法对其序列及表达模式进行了分析。序列分析结果表明,丹参SmPI1和SmPI2基因分别含有一个长度为222bp和216bp的开放阅读框,编码73和71个氨基酸;2个编码蛋白都无跨膜结构域和信号肽,预测都定位于细胞质中;SmPI1和SmPI2蛋白与川桑、可可、苜蓿等植物的蛋白酶抑制剂基因相似性较高,分别为58%、52%、53%和54%、56%、51%。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,SmPI1和SmPI2基因受茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)和甘蓝黑腐病黄单胞菌(Xanthomonas campestris pv.Campestris,XC)显著诱导,说明丹参SmPI1和SmPI2基因可强烈响应这两类胁迫,可能参与丹参中两类胁迫分子途径相关的抗性反应。     

蒺藜苜蓿LBD转录因子基因家族全基因组分析

LBD是植物中所特有的转录因子基因家族,在调控植物侧生组织发育、营养代谢以及响应逆境胁迫等方面具有重要作用。该研究利用生物信息学手段,从全基因组水平筛选和鉴定了蒺藜苜蓿LBD基因家族,并对基因结构、系统进化、进化压力、保守域、染色体定位以及基因表达模式等进行了分析。研究结果共鉴定出2类5亚类共计56个蒺藜苜蓿LBD家族基因,在8条染色体上均有分布,但分布不均匀。该家族成员外显子数目都不超过2个,结构简单,基因间在进化时存在负向选择作用。基因表达模式分析发现,该家族成员的表达具有一定的时空特异性,并受干旱和氮素调控。该研究结果对蒺藜苜蓿LBD基因功能研究及进化分析具有重要的意义。     

呼伦贝尔黄花苜蓿MfMYB30基因的克隆及表达分析

该研究在呼伦贝尔黄花苜蓿(Medicago falcata L. cv. Hulunbuir)转录组测序基础上,通过RT PCR方法克隆获得了MfMYB30基因,并通过生物信息学和表达分析进行初步研究,为深入研究MfMYB30基因的功能和开发利用奠定基础。结果表明：(1)成功克隆获得呼伦贝尔黄花苜蓿MfMYB30基因,其ORF序列长为957 bp,编码318个氨基酸,相对分子质量为86.85 kD,理论等电点为5.11。MfMYB30蛋白为疏水性蛋白,无跨膜结构,无信号肽序列。(2)系统进化分析表明黄花苜蓿MfMYB30蛋白与紫花苜蓿MsMYB4、拟南芥AtMYB30、木豆CcMYB30、蒺藜苜蓿MtMYB30和大豆GmMYB60聚为一个类群,亲缘关系较近。(3)实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,MfMYB30在黄花苜蓿模拟刈割不同天数后的相对表达量呈先降低后升高的趋势,在刈割7 d后相对表达量达到峰值。(4)通过在拟南芥原生质体亚细胞定位分析发现,该蛋白定位于细胞核。研究推测,MfMYB30基因可能在黄花苜蓿刈割或放牧胁迫响应过程中发挥重要调控作用。     

Genetic diversity assessment in greek Medicago truncatula genotypes using microsatellite markers

In this study we examined the genetic diversity and geographic scale of genotype distribution within the model legume species Medicago truncatula widely distributed in pasture and marginal agricultural lands in Greece and other Mediterranean countries. Thirty one Medicago truncatula and Medicago littorialis accessions were chosen on the basis of their geographical distributions and studied using 9 polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. The number of alleles per locus varied between 3 and 7. A total of 42 alleles were detected with a mean value of 4.66 alleles per locus. Geographic origin was not related with genotypic similarity among accessions. However, there were instances of close genetic relatedness between accessions from neighboring locations in a geographic compartment. In conclusion, the presented data revealed extensive M. truncatula genotype dispersal in Greece pointing to the significance of preserving local genetic resources in their natural environment.     

Identification of the DNA damage-responsive elements of therhp51+ gene, arecA andRAD51 homolog from the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe

TheSchizosaccharomyces pombe rhp51 ⁺ gene encodes a recombinational repair protein that shares significant sequence identities with the bacterial RecA and theSaccharomyces cerevisiae RAD51 protein. Levels ofrhp51 ⁺ mRNA increase following several types of DNA damage or inhibition of DNA synthesis. Anrhp51::ura4 fusion gene was used to identify the cis-acting promoter elements involved in regulatingrhp51 ⁺ expression in response to DNA damage. Two elements, designated DRE1 and DRE2 (fordamage-responsiveelement), match a decamer consensus URS (upstream repressing sequence) found in the promoters of many other DNA repair and metabolism genes fromS. cerevisiae. However, our results show that DRE1 and DRE2 each function as a UAS (upstream activating sequence) rather than a URS and are also required for DNA-damage inducibility of the gene. A 20-bp fragment located downstream of both DRE1 and DRE2 is responsible for URS function. The DRE1 and DRE2 elements cross-competed for binding to two proteins of 45 and 59 kDa. DNase I footprint analysis suggests that DRE1 and DRE2 bind to the same DNA-binding proteins. These results suggest that the DRE-binding proteins may play an important role in the DNA-damage inducibility ofrhp51 ⁺ expression.     

紫花苜蓿赤霉素受体基因的克隆及表达分析

赤霉素受体(GID)是赤霉素信号转导途径的重要成员,直接影响着赤霉素对植物体效应的发挥。该研究利用同源克隆的方法,首次从紫花苜蓿中克隆得到1个赤霉素受体基因,命名为MsGID1b。序列分析发现,MsGID1b基因开放阅读框长度为1 053bp,编码350个氨基酸,推测其蛋白质分子量为39.839kD,是一个无信号肽和跨膜结构的亲水性蛋白。序列比对结果表明,MsGID1b基因与蒺藜苜蓿MtGID1b基因的核苷酸序列相似性为98%,氨基酸序列相似性为99%,且具有HSL家族典型的HGG和GXSXG保守结构域及GA、DELLA蛋白结合位点。荧光定量PCR分析表明,MsGID1b基因在紫花苜蓿各组织中的表达丰度依次为:根盛花初花茎叶荚果;经GA3、ABA、NaCl、PEG和黑暗诱导后该基因表达上调,尤其是在GA3诱导下,MsGID1b基因的表达量一直维持在较高水平,表明MsGID1b基因可能参与紫花苜蓿的抗逆调控。     

Characterisation of the legume SERK-NIK gene superfamily including splice variants: Implications for development and defence

Background  

SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE (SERK) genes are part of the regulation of diverse signalling events in plants. Current evidence shows SERK proteins function both in developmental and defence signalling pathways, which occur in response to both peptide and steroid ligands. SERKs are generally present as small gene families in plants, with five SERK genes in Arabidopsis. Knowledge gained primarily through work on Arabidopsis SERKs indicates that these proteins probably interact with a wide range of other receptor kinases and form a fundamental part of many essential signalling pathways. The SERK1 gene of the model legume, Medicago truncatula functions in somatic and zygotic embryogenesis, and during many phases of plant development, including nodule and lateral root formation. However, other SERK genes in M. truncatula and other legumes are largely unidentified and their functions unknown.     

Gentisic acid conjugates of Medicago truncatula roots

Three phenolic glycosides 5-O-{[5′′-O-E-(4′′′-O-threo-guaiacylglycerol)-feruloyl]-β-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-xylopyranosyl} gentisic acid, 5-O-[(5′′-O-vanilloyl)-β-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-xylopyranosyl] gentisic acid and 1-O-[E-(4′′′-O-threo-guaiacylglycerol)-feruloyl]-3-O-β-galacturonopyranosyl glycerol were isolated and identified from the roots of Medicago truncatula together with four known 5-O-β-xylopyranosyl gentisic acid, vicenin-2, hovetrichoside C and pterosupin identified for the first time in this species. Structural elucidation was carried out on the basis of UV, mass, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data.     

Isolation of the mini insertions IS6 and IS7 of E. coli

Summary The mini IS elements IS6 and IS7 have been detected in constitutive gal ⁺ revertants of galOP-308::IS2 (I), in which the expression of the gal operon is turned off by IS2 in orientation I. Both, IS6 and IS7, are integrated into IS2 proximal to the gal structural genes. IS6 is 115 base pairs long and causes 50% constitutive expression of the gal genes. IS7 is only 65 base pairs long and the gal operon is expressed 20% constitutively compared to the gal ⁺ wild type operon. Both IS6 and IS7 are excised frequently, in the absence of selective pressure. These findings are discussed with respect to the evolution of gene expression.     

The control of Galba truncatula (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) by the terrestrial snail Zonitoides nitidus on acid soils

Field investigations on the control of Galba truncatula by Zonitoides nitidus were carried out over the past 30 years in the different types of lymnaeid habitats located in central France. When a layer of mowed vegetation was used to cover G. truncatula habitats at the end of June, the introduction of adult Z. nitidus (20/m²) eliminated lymnaeid populations after 2 years of control in habitats located in swampy meadows, around the heads of intermittent springs, in areas trampled by cattle, and along river or pond banks. In the case of wild watercress beds, 3 years were necessary. The best results (elimination of G. truncatula after a single year of control) were obtained using an association of snails (Z. nitidus + Oxychilus draparnaudi), or a mixed control (a first application of 0.1 mg/l CuCl₂, followed 3 months later by the introduction of Z. nitidus). Recolonization of treated habitats by G. truncatula coming from downstream populations was noted 3 years following the last application of biological control. Apart from the regular introduction of Z. nitidus in several watercress beds, the use of this snail to control G. truncatula has not become generalized in cattle- and sheep-breeding farms. The reasons for this situation are probably the complexity of applying this control in the field by nonspecialists and the difficulty of selecting the period of snail control at the end of June due to frequent local rainfall at this time.     

蒺藜苜蓿DGAT1基因的克隆和功能鉴定

该研究采用RT-PCR与电子克隆的方法,从蒺藜苜蓿cDNA中克隆得到2个编码二脂酰甘油酰基转移酶(diacylglycerol acyltransferase,DGAT)的基因MtDGAT1-1和MtDGAT1-2。MtDGAT1-1长1 620bp,编码539个氨基酸;MtDGAT1-2长1 524bp,编码507个氨基酸。多序列比对显示,MtDGAT1-1和MtDGAT1-2编码蛋白具有典型的植物DGAT1结构域。表达分析显示,MtDGAT1-1和MtDGAT1-2在根、茎、叶、花、种子中都有表达,在种子发育中高表达,且MtDGAT1-1于种子发育的中前期高表达,而MtDGAT1-2于种子发育的中后期高表达。酵母互补实验证实,MtDGAT1-2编码蛋白具有DGAT酶活性,能够恢复H1246的TAG合成和油体形成;而MtDGAT1-1编码蛋白不能恢复H1246的TAG合成和油体形成。     

The Vacuolar Na+/H+ Antiporter Gene SsNHX1 from the Halophyte Salsola soda Confers Salt Tolerance in Transgenic Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

A putative vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter gene (SsNHX1) was isolated from the halophyte Salsola soda using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends method. Highly conserved regions of plant vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter, including amiloride-binding domain, NHE (Na⁺/H⁺ exchange) domain, and 12 transmembrane segments, were found in the deduced amino acid sequence of SsNHX1. Multiple alignments of vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporters showed that SsNHX1 shared high identity with other plant vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporters. Phylogenetic relationship analysis indicated that SsNHX1 was clustered into the vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter group. Taken together, these results suggest that SsNHX1 is a new member of the vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter family. The effective expression of SsNHX1 in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) enhanced the salt tolerance of transgenic alfalfa which could grow in high concentrations of NaCl (up to 400 mM) over 50 days. This was the highest level of salt tolerance reported in transgenic plants. A further analysis of the physiological characteristics of transgenic and wild-type plants, including the Na⁺ and K⁺ contents, superoxide dismutase activity, the rate of electrolyte leakage, and the proline content, showed that large amounts of Na⁺ in the cytoplasm of leaves were transported into vacuoles by the exogenous Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter, which averted the toxic effects of Na⁺ to the cell of transgenic alfalfa.