Genome-wide identification of the BURP domain-containing genes in Phaseolus vulgaris

Plant-specific BURP domain-containing proteins have an essential role in the plant''s development and stress responses. Although BURP domain-containing proteins have been identified in several plant species, genome-wide analysis of the BURP gene family has not been investigated in the common bean. In the present study, we identified 11 BURP family members in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genome with a comprehensive in silico analysis. Pairwise alignment and phylogenetic analyses grouped PvBURP members into four subfamilies [RD-22 like (3), PG1β-like (4), BNM2-like (3), and USP-like (1)] according to their amino acid motifs, protein domains and intron–exon structure. The physical and biochemical characteristics of amino acids, motif and intron–exon structure, and cis-regulatory elements of BURPs members were determined. Promoter regions of BURP members included stress, light, and hormone response-related cis-elements. Therefore, expression profiles of PvBURP genes were identified with in silico tools and qRT-PCR analyses under stress (salt and drought) and hormone treatment (ABA, IAA) in the current study. While significant activity changes were not observed in BURP genes in RNA-seq data sets related to salt stress, it was determined that some BURP genes were expressed differently in those with drought stress. We identified 12 different miRNA, including miRNA395, miRNA156, miRNA169, miRNA171, miRNA319, and miRNA390, targeting the nine PvBURP genes using two different in silico tools based on perfect or near‐perfect complementarity to their targets. Here we present the first study to identify and characterize the BURP genes in common bean using whole-genome analysis, and the findings may serve as a reference for future functional research in common bean.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-021-01052-9.     

Regulation of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">cellulose synthase-like</Emphasis> gene family by light in the maize mesocotyl

The cellulose synthase-like (ZmCSL) gene family of maize was annotated and its expression studied in the maize mesocotyl. A total of 28 full-length CSL genes and another 13 partial sequences were annotated; four are predicted to be pseudogenes. Maize has all of the CSL subfamilies that are present in rice, but the CSLC subfamily is expanded from 6 in rice to 12 in maize, and the CSLH subfamily might be reduced from 3 to 1. Unlike rice, maize has a gene in the CSLG subfamily, based on its sequence similarity to two genes annotated as CSLG in poplar. Light regulation of glycan synthase enzyme activities and CSL gene expression were analyzed in the mesocotyl. A Golgi-localized glucan synthase activity is reduced by ~50% 12 h after exposure to light. β-1,4-Mannan synthase activity is reduced even more strongly (>85%), whereas β-1,4-xylan synthase, callose synthase, and latent IDPase activity respond only slightly, if at all, to light. At least 17 of the CSL genes (42%) are expressed in the mesocotyl, of which four are up-regulated at least twofold, seven are down-regulated at least twofold, and six are not affected by light. The results contribute to our understanding of the structure of the CSL gene family in an important food and biofuel plant, show that a large percentage of the CSL genes are expressed in the specialized tissues of the mesocotyl, and demonstrate that members of the CSL gene family are differentially subject to photobiological regulation. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Molecular analyses of the rice <Emphasis Type="Italic">glutamate dehydrogenase</Emphasis> gene family and their response to nitrogen and phosphorous deprivation

Glutamate dehydrogenases (GDH, EC 1.4.1.2~4) are ubiquitous enzymes encoded by GDH genes. So far, at least two GDH members have been characterized in plants, but most members of this family in rice remains to be characterized. Here, we show that four putative GDH genes (OsGDH1-4) are present in the rice genome. The GDH sequences from rice and other species can be classified into two types (I and II). OsGDH1-3 belonged to type II genes, whereas OsGDH4 belonged to type I like gene. Our data implied that the expansion rate of type I genes was much slower than that of type II genes and species-specific expansion contributed to the evolution of type II genes in plants. The expression levels of the different members of GDH family in rice were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR and microarray analysis. Gene expression patterns revealed that OsGDH1, OsGDH2, and OsGDH4 are expressed ubiquitously in various tissues, whereas OsGDH3 expression is glumes and stamens specific. The expression of the OsGDH family members responded differentially to nitrogen and phosphorus-deprivation, indicating their roles under such stress conditions. Implications of the expression patterns with respect to the functions of these genes were discussed. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The chalcone synthase multigene family of Petunia hybrida (V30): sequence homology,chromosomal localization and evolutionary aspects

Chalcone synthase (CHS) genes in Petunia hybrida comprise a multigene family containing at least 7 complete members in the strain Violet 30 (V30). Based on a high sequence homology in both coding and non-coding sequence, a number of CHS genes can be placed into two subfamilies. By restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis it was shown that both chromosomes II and V carry one of these subfamilies, in addition to the other CHS genes identified so far. Members of a subfamily were found to be closely linked genetically. Analysis of the Petunia species that contributed to the hybrid nature of P. hybrida (P. axillaris, P. parodii, P. inflata and P. violacea) shows that none of the CHS gene clusters is specific for either one of the parents and therefore did not arise as a consequence of the hybridization. The number of CHS genes within a subfamily varies considerably among these Petunia species. From this we infer that the CHS subfamilies arose from very recent gene duplications.     

The chalcone synthase multigene family of Petunia hybrida (V30): sequence homology,chromosomal localization and evolutionary aspects

Chalcone synthase (CHS) genes in Petunia hybrida comprise a multigene family containing at least 7 complete members in the strain Violet 30 (V30). Based on a high sequence homology in both coding and non-coding sequence, a number of CHS genes can be placed into two subfamilies. By restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis it was shown that both chromosomes II and V carry one of these subfamilies, in addition to the other CHS genes identified so far. Members of a subfamily were found to be closely linked genetically. Analysis of the Petunia species that contributed to the hybrid nature of P. hybrida (P. axillaris, P. parodii, P. inflata and P. violacea) shows that none of the CHS gene clusters is specific for either one of the parents and therefore did not arise as a consequence of the hybridization. The number of CHS genes within a subfamily varies considerably among these Petunia species. From this we infer that the CHS subfamilies arose from very recent gene duplications.     

The ankyrin repeat gene family in rice: genome-wide identification,classification and expression profiling

Ankyrin repeat (ANK) containing proteins comprise a large protein family. Although many members of this family have been implicated in plant growth, development and signal transduction, only a few ANK genes have been reported in rice. In this study, we analyzed the structures, phylogenetic relationship, genome localizations and expression profiles of 175 ankyrin repeat genes identified in rice (OsANK). Domain composition analysis suggested OsANK proteins can be classified into ten subfamilies. Chromosomal localizations of OsANK genes indicated nine segmental duplication events involving 17 genes and 65 OsANK genes were involved in tandem duplications. The expression profiles of 158 OsANK genes were analyzed in 24 tissues covering the whole life cycle of two rice genotypes, Minghui 63 and Zhenshan 97. Sixteen genes showed preferential expression in given tissues compared to all the other tissues in Minghui 63 and Zhenshan 97. Nine genes were preferentially expressed in stamen of 1 day before flowering, suggesting that these genes may play important roles in pollination and fertilization. Expression data of OsANK genes were also obtained with tissues of seedlings subjected to three phytohormone (NAA, GA3 and KT) and light/dark treatments. Eighteen genes showed differential expression with at least one phytohormone treatment while under light/dark treatments, 13 OsANK genes showed differential expression. Our data provided a very useful reference for cloning and functional analysis of members of this gene family in rice. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Expression of an apoplast‐localized BURP‐domain protein from soybean (GmRD22) enhances tolerance towards abiotic stress

The BURP‐domain protein family comprises a diverse group of plant‐specific proteins that share a conserved BURP domain at the C terminus. However, there have been only limited studies on the functions and subcellular localization of these proteins. Members of the RD22‐like subfamily are postulated to associate with stress responses due to the stress‐inducible nature of some RD22‐like genes. In this report, we used different transgenic systems (cells and in planta) to show that the expression of a stress‐inducible RD22‐like protein from soybean (GmRD22) can alleviate salinity and osmotic stress. We also performed detailed microscopic studies using both fusion proteins and immuno‐electron microscopic techniques to demonstrate the apoplast localization of GmRD22, for which the BURP domain is a critical determinant of the subcellular localization. The apoplastic GmRD22 interacts with a cell wall peroxidase and the ectopic expression of GmRD22 in both transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and transgenic rice resulted in increased lignin production when subjected to salinity stress. It is possible that GmRD22 regulates cell wall peroxidases and hence strengthens cell wall integrity under such stress conditions.     

Centromeric retrotransposon lineages predate the maize/rice divergence and differ in abundance and activity

Centromeric retrotransposons (CR) are located almost exclusively at the centromeres of plant chromosomes. Analysis of the emerging Zea mays inbred B73 genome sequence revealed two novel subfamilies of CR elements of maize (CRM), bringing the total number of known CRM subfamilies to four. Orthologous subfamilies of each of these CRM subfamilies were discovered in the rice lineage, and the orthologous relationships were demonstrated with extensive phylogenetic analyses. The much higher number of CRs in maize versus Oryza sativa is due primarily to the recent expansion of the CRM1 subfamily in maize. At least one incomplete copy of a CRM1 homolog was found in O. sativa ssp. indica and O. officinalis, but no member of this subfamily could be detected in the finished O. sativa ssp. japonica genome, implying loss of this prolific subfamily in that subspecies. CRM2 and CRM3, as well as the corresponding rice subfamilies, have been recently active but are present in low numbers. CRM3 is a full-length element related to the non-autonomous CentA, which is the first described CRM. The oldest subfamily (CRM4), as well as its rice counterpart, appears to contain only inactive members that are not located in currently active centromeres. The abundance of active CR elements is correlated with chromosome size in the three plant genomes for which high quality genomic sequence is available, and the emerging picture of CR elements is one in which different subfamilies are active at different evolutionary times. We propose a model by which CR elements might influence chromosome and genome size. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ds</Emphasis> insertion mutagenesis as an efficient tool to produce diverse variations for rice breeding

The availability of diversified germplasm resources is the most important for developing improved rice varieties with higher seed yield or tolerance to various biotic or abiotic stresses. Here we report an efficient tool to create increased variations in rice by maize Ac/Ds transposon (a gene trap system) insertion mutagenesis. We have generated around 20,000 Ds insertion rice lines of which majority are homozygous for Ds element. We subjected these lines to phenotypic and abiotic stress screens and evaluated these lines with respect to their seed yields and other agronomic traits as well as their tolerance to drought, salinity and cold. Based on this evaluation, we observed that random Ds insertions into rice genome have led to diverse variations including a range of morphological and conditional phenotypes. Such differences in phenotype among these lines were accompanied by differential gene expression revealed by GUS histochemical staining of gene trapped lines. Among the various phenotypes identified, some Ds lines showed significantly higher grain yield compared to wild-type plants under normal growth conditions indicating that rice could be improved in grain yield by disrupting certain endogenous genes. In addition, several 1,000s of Ds lines were subjected to abiotic stresses to identify conditional mutants. Subsequent to these screens, over 800 lines responsive to drought, salinity or cold stress were obtained, suggesting that rice has the genetic potential to survive under abiotic stresses when appropriate endogenous genes were suppressed. The mutant lines that have higher seed yielding potential or display higher tolerance to abiotic stresses may be used for rice breeding by conventional backcrossing combining with molecular marker-assisted selection. In addition, by exploiting the behavior of Ds to leave footprints upon remobilization, we have shown an alternative strategy to develop new rice varieties without foreign DNA sequences in their genome. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Identification and chromosomal location of four subfamilies of the rubisco small subunit genes in common wheat

Summary Three different 3 noncoding sequences of wheat rubisco small subunit (SSU) genes (RbcS) were used as probes to identify the gene members of different RbcS subfamilies in the common wheat cultivar Chinese Spring (CS). All genes of the wheat RbcS multigene family were previously assigned to the long arm of homoeologous group 5 and to the short arm of homoeologous group 2 chromosomes of cv CS. Extracted DNA from various aneuploids of these homoeologous groups was digested with four restriction enzymes and hybridized with three different 3 noncoding sequences of wheat SSU clones. All RbcS genes located on the long arm of homoeologous group 5 chromosomes were found to comprise a single subfamily, while those located on the short arm of group 2 comprised three subfamilies. Each of the ancestral diploid genomes A, B, and D has at least one representative gene in each subfamily, suggesting that the divergence into subfamilies preceded the differentiation into species. This divergence of the RbcS genes, which is presumably accompanied by a similar divergence in the 5 region, may lead to differential expression of various subfamilies in different tissues and in different developmental stages, in response to different environmental conditions. Moreover, members of one subfamily that belong to different genomes may have diverged also in the coding sequence and, consequently, code for distinguishable SSU. It is assumed that such utilization of the RbcS multigene family increases the adaptability and phenotypic plasticity of common wheat over its diploid progenitors.