互花米草NHX2基因的克隆与功能鉴定

NHX2属于CPA1基因家族,编码Na~+/H~+逆向转运蛋白,控制液泡膜中活性K~+的摄取,同时调节气孔的关闭。该研究以耐盐植物互花米草为材料,采用PCR技术克隆NHX2基因,并将其转入拟南芥进行相关功能鉴定。结果显示:(1)成功克隆获得互花米草NHX2基因CDS序列(1 602 bp),命名为SaNHX2,该基因编码533个氨基酸,SaNHX2蛋白的分子量约为58.65 kD,定位于细胞核和细胞膜,表明SaNHX2基因可能发挥转录调控的功能。(2) qRT-PCR结果显示,在ABA、NaCl和干旱胁迫处理下,互花米草叶和根中SaNHX2基因的表达量均上调。(3)为进一步鉴定其功能,成功构建植物表达载体,将SaNHX2基因转入拟南芥;经RT-PCR检测结果显示,SaNHX2基因在转基因植株中过表达;高盐胁迫处理后,转SaNHX2基因拟南芥的主根长度、叶绿素总量和相关胁迫应答基因表达量均高于转空载拟南芥,表明转SaNHX2基因拟南芥的耐盐能力显著增强。研究表明,SaNHX2基因可能在盐胁迫调节机制中发挥调控作用,可作为改良农作物耐盐的重要候选基因。     

过量表达棉花CBF2基因提高转基因拟南芥抗旱耐盐能力

CBF/DREB是一类植物中特有的转录因子,在植物抵抗逆境胁迫过程中发挥重要功能。本研究从陆地棉(Gossypium hirsutum L.)Coker 312中克隆获得1个棉花CBF/DREB基因,命名为Gh CBF2,该基因编码一个由216个氨基酸组成的CBF蛋白。序列分析结果显示,Gh CBF2与其他植物的CBF蛋白类似,含有AP2转录因子典型的保守结构域。干旱或高盐胁迫处理明显增加了Gh CBF2基因的表达量。亚细胞定位分析结果发现Gh CBF2定位在细胞核中。将Gh CBF2基因构建到由35S启动子调控的植物表达载体p MD上并转化拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana L.),结果表明,在干旱和盐胁迫条件下,过量表达Gh CBF2基因拟南芥的成活率显著高于野生型,并且游离脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量也高于野生型,说明转Gh CBF2基因提高了拟南芥的耐盐抗旱能力。采用实时荧光定量PCR方法分析胁迫相关标记基因COR15A、RD29A和ERD6的表达情况,结果显示转基因株系中的表达量显著高于野生型,说明Gh CBF2参与调控拟南芥干旱和盐胁迫相关基因的表达。     

新疆无苞芥Na~+/H~+逆向转运蛋白基因OpNHX1的克隆、表达分析与功能验证

从耐盐植物无苞芥中克隆获得了1个Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白基因NHX1,命名为OpNHX1(GenBank登录号:KC200248)。OpNHX1基因cDNA全长2 153 bp,包含一个1 605 bp的开放阅读框,编码534个氨基酸。系统进化树分析表明,OpNHX1编码产物与拟南芥、小盐芥亲缘关系较近,属于同一进化分支。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,该蛋白基因在无苞芥根、茎、叶、花和荚果中均有表达,其中茎中表达量最高。半定量RT-PCR分析表明,该基因受高盐、干旱、低温及ABA的诱导上调表达。进一步将该基因在拟南芥中过量表达,显著提高了转基因植株在盐胁迫下的存活率,说明OpNHX1基因参与了植物的耐盐性。酵母功能互补试验结果显示,该基因转化酵母Δnhx1后可以补充NHX1的缺失,表明OpNHX1参与Na+/H+的转运。     

玉米液泡膜焦磷酸酶基因ZmVPP1的克隆及逆境下的表达分析

采用同源克隆的方法在玉米中得到一个与拟南芥耐盐基因AVP1类似的基因.BLAST分析表明,该基因编码蛋白属于质子泵焦磷酸酶家族(H_PPase superfamily)中的Ⅰ型VPP,将其命名为ZmVPP1.ZmVPP1包舍一个2301bp的开放阅读框,编码766个氨基酸残基.蛋白比对结果表明,该蛋白在不同植物中相当保守.实时荧光定量PCR检测发现,ZmVPP1基因在成熟叶片中高丰度表达,在生殖器官中表达量较少.脱水、高盐、低温等逆境胁迫条件和ABA处理下的表达分析表明,ZmVPP1基因受逆境的诱导表达,属于不依赖于ABA的途径.由此推断,ZmVPP1可能参与玉米对Na+的隔离,从而起到耐盐的作用.     

水稻受盐抑制基因OsZFP1的转基因分析

OsZFP1(水稻锌指蛋白1)基因编码的蛋白含有3个推测的Cys2/Cys2-型锌指结构域,它的表达受盐胁迫负调控.构建了以35S为启动子的OsZFP1基因的植物表达载体,并将其转入拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana L.)植物和水稻(Oryza sativa L.)愈伤组织中以过量表达OsZFP1基因.转基因的拟南芥植株和水稻愈伤组织对盐处理的敏感性都比野生型要高.这一结果表明OsZFP1基因可能编码一种负调控蛋白,它可能抑制某些盐诱导基因的表达.在ABA处理下,转基因拟南芥植株比野生型植株抽苔晚,说明OsZFP1基因的作用可能受ABA调节.     

胡杨PeECT8基因的克隆及功能分析

ECT基因家族已在拟南芥中被发现并报道,然而它们是否参与植物在逆境胁迫下的响应过程却鲜有报道。为研究胡杨PeECT8基因的功能,从胡杨叶片cDNA中克隆出PeECT8基因,构建CaMV 35S::Pe ECT8植物表达载体,利用花序浸染法转化拟南芥,经GUS组织化学染色和PCR检测,获得转基因植株,进而测定不同浓度盐(Na Cl)和甘露醇胁迫下转基因拟南芥种子的萌发率、生长势和根长。测序结果表明,该基因编码区长度为1821 bp,可编码606个氨基酸。蛋白序列比对发现,PeECT8基因与毛果杨PtrECT8同源基因所编码的氨基酸一致性达93.42%,PeECT8蛋白包含一个YT521-B-like保守结构域。相比于野生型,过量表达PeECT8的拟南芥在不同浓度NaCl胁迫下萌发率降低,在D-甘露醇胁迫下萌发率没有明显变化。在NaCl和D-甘露醇胁迫下,转基因拟南芥根的伸长长度小于野生型。这表明PeECT8基因在盐胁迫和渗透胁迫下发挥负调控的作用。     

小拟南芥ApZFP基因异源超表达促进拟南芥开花并提高耐逆性

锌指蛋白(ZFP)是一类重要的转录因子, 广泛参与植物的生长发育和非生物胁迫应答。新疆小拟南芥(Arabidopsispumila)又名无苞芥, 是十字花科短命植物, 具有高光效、繁殖力强和适应干旱等生物学特征, 而且比模式植物拟南芥(A.thaliana)更耐高盐胁迫。将前期克隆的小拟南芥锌指蛋白基因ApZFP通过花滴法转化到哥伦比亚生态型拟南芥(Col-0)中,获得了独立表达的转基因株系。表型观察发现, 过量表达ApZFP基因可促使拟南芥在长短日照下均提前开花。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示, 转基因拟南芥株系中, 光周期途径中的CO基因和年龄途径中的SPL基因表达上调; 春化、环境温度和自主途径中的FLC基因表达下调; 编码成花素的基因FT及下游开花相关基因AP1和LFY的表达量均升高。进一步通过盐、干旱和ABA胁迫处理ApZFP转基因株系的种子和幼苗, 发现在胁迫处理下, 与对照相比, 转基因拟南芥种子萌发率较高, 幼苗主根较长。因此推测, ApZFP在植物发育过程中具有多种功能, 可能既参与植物的开花转变过程, 又同其它植物的锌指蛋白基因一样, 参与植物的耐逆过程。     

花烟草NaNHX1基因的克隆及其在非生物胁迫下的表达模式

植物NHX家族基因,在植物的生长发育以及生物与非生物胁迫的应答反应中发挥着十分重要的作用。为了探究花烟草Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白的生理功能,为花烟草耐盐分子机制的研究提供参考。采用同源克隆的方法进行基因克隆,对花烟草进行非生物胁迫,并运用qPCR的方法进行基因表达模式分析。结果表明,从花烟草(Nicotiana alata)中克隆了一个属于Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白家族的基因NaNHX1。该基因的开放阅读框全长为1 599 bp,编码了532个氨基酸残基。生物信息学分析结果表明,该基因编码的蛋白分子量为58.4 kD,等电点为5.66;具有Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白家族典型的保守结构域NhaP2;该蛋白属于疏水性蛋白,包含10个跨膜区。NaNHX1基因主要定位于细胞质膜,并含有多个磷酸化位点。同源性分析的结果显示,NaNHX1基因与美花烟草(Nicotiana sylvestris)、茸毛烟草(Nicotiana tomentosiformis)以及番茄(Solanum lycoperisicum)NHX基因的亲缘关系最近,而与拟南芥的NHX基因同源性最低。NaNHX1基因的表达具有组织表达特异性,花中表达量最高,茎中次之,根和叶中表达量较低。在高盐、干旱、低温、ABA、低钾及H2O2等非生物胁迫下,NaNHX1的表达呈现3种不同的表达模式。其中,对高盐及低钾胁迫的响应强烈。本研究的结果表明,NaNHX1基因属于Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白家族,可能参与了花烟草高盐和低钾胁迫,以及其它非生物胁迫响应在内的众多生理过程。     

水稻受盐抑制基因OsZFP1的转基因分析

OsZFP1(水稻锌指蛋白1)基因编码的蛋白含有3个推测的Cys2/Cys2-型锌指结构域,它的表达受盐胁迫负调控。构建了以35S为启动子的OsZFP1基因的植物表达载体,并将其转入拟南芥(ArabidopsisthalianaL.)植物和水稻(OryzasativaL.)愈伤组织中以过量表达OsZFP1基因。转基因的拟南芥植株和水稻愈伤组织对盐处理的敏感性都比野生型要高。这一结果表明OsZFP1基因可能编码一种负调控蛋白,它可能抑制某些盐诱导基因的表达。在ABA处理下,转基因拟南芥植株比野生型植株抽苔晚,说明OsZFP1基因的作用可能受ABA调节。     

水稻NHX1基因启动子和C末端的调控功能研究

为了解水稻Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白(OsNHX1)在植物应答非生物胁迫中的分子调控机制,采用RT-PCR方法克隆OsNHX1基因上游2 000bp的启动子序列,并通过基因枪轰击瞬时转化洋葱表皮细胞,检测不同非生物胁迫下启动子的活性和表达模式;同时,分别克隆全长和C末端缺失的OsNHX1基因,通过花序浸染法转化拟南芥,研究OsNHX1基因及其C末端的功能。结果显示:OsNHX1启动子受逆境胁迫诱导,在盐、干旱、脱落酸胁迫处理下GUS表达活性明显升高;过表达OsNHX1的转基因拟南芥中,种子萌发率、根长、丙二醛含量和相对含水量的测定结果均显示其胁迫耐受性得到改善,但过表达OsNHX1C末端缺失基因对转基因植株的胁迫耐受性无明显影响。研究表明,Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白有助于提高植物耐盐性,且其C末端区域对该转运蛋白活性的发挥具有关键作用。     

毛竹MYB转录因子PeMYB2的克隆与功能分析

MYB类转录因子在调控逆境应答基因的表达起着重要的作用, 是最大的植物转录因子之一。文章通过同源基因克隆方法和RACE(Rapid-amplification of cDNA ends)技术, 以毛竹幼苗为材料, 获得一个MYB类转录因子, 命名PeMYB2。氨基酸序列分析表明, PeMYB2具有典型的R2R3-MYB特征, N端含有两个串联重复保守结构域, C端含有一个膜蛋白DUF3651; 进化树分析表明, PeMYB2与水稻OsMYB18序列相似性最高, 达到85.98%; 酵母单杂实验表明, PeMYB2具有转录激活功能。将PeMYB2转化拟南芥对其功能进行分析, 获得7株转基因纯合体植株。比较转基因和野生型拟南芥表型发现, PeMYB2的过量表达使转基因拟南芥出现矮化、晚花的现象; 非生物胁迫处理(盐胁迫、干旱胁迫、低温胁迫)结果表明, 转基因拟南芥中PeMYB2的过量表达, 导致转基因植株对盐胁迫和低温胁迫有更高的耐性, 但是对低温胁迫的耐受性没有明显的变化; 进一步通过盐胁迫信号通路相关Marker基因(NXH1、SOS1、RD29A、COR15A)的定量PCR实验验证, 发现PeMYB2对下游这些抗逆基因的表达具有调控作用。上述实验结果表明, 毛竹PeMYB2可参与非生物胁迫调控, 对毛竹盐胁迫和低温胁迫的响应起着重要的作用。     

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a novel apple MdCIPK6L gene reveals its involvement in multiple abiotic stress tolerance in transgenic plants

CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) are involved in many aspects of plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, their functions are poorly understood in fruit trees. In this study, a salt-induced MdCIPK6L gene was isolated from apple. Its expression was positively induced by abiotic stresses, stress-related hormones and exogenous Ca(2+). MdCIPK6L was not homologous to AtSOS2, however, its ectopic expression functionally complemented Arabidopsis sos2 mutant. Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid assay showed that MdCIPK6L protein interacted with AtSOS3, indicating that it functions in salt tolerance partially like AtSOS2 through SOS pathway. As a result, the overexpression of both MdCIPK6L and MdCIPK6LT175D remarkably enhanced the tolerance to salt, osmotic/drought and chilling stresses, but did not affect root growth, in transgenic Arabidopsis and apple. Also, T-to-D mutation to MdCIPK6L at Thr175 did not affect its function. These differences between MdCIPK6L and other CIPKs, especially CIPK6s, indicate that MdCIPK6L encodes a novel CIPK in apple. Finally, MdCIPK6L overexpression also conferred tolerance to salt, drought and chilling stresses in transgenic tomatoes. Therefore, MdCIPK6L functions in stress tolerance crossing the species barriers, and is supposed to be a potential candidate gene to improve stress tolerance by genetic manipulation in apple and other crops.     

Cell-type-specific calcium responses to drought, salt and cold in the Arabidopsis root

Little is known about the signalling processes involved in the response of roots to abiotic stresses. The Arabidopsis root is a model system of root anatomy with a simple architecture and is amenable to genetic manipulation. Although it is known that the root responds to cold, drought and salt stress with increases in cytoplasmic free calcium, there is currently no information about the role(s) of the functionally diverse cell types that comprise the root. Transgenic Arabidopsis with enhancer-trapped GAL4 expression in specific cell types was used to target the calcium reporting protein, aequorin, fused to a modified yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). The luminescence output of targeted aequorin enabled in vivo measurement of changes in cytosolic free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]cyt) in specific cell types during acute cold, osmotic and salt stresses. In response to an acute cold stress, all cell types tested as well as plants constitutively expressing aequorin displayed rapid [Ca2+]cyt peaks. However, there were significant quantitative differences between different cell types in terms of their response to cold stress, osmotic stress (440 mM mannitol) and salt stress (220 mM NaCl), implying specific roles for certain cell types in the detection and/or response to these stimuli. In response to osmotic and salt stress, the endodermis and pericycle displayed prolonged oscillations in cytosolic calcium that were distinct from the responses of the other cell types tested. Targeted expression of aequorin circumvented the technical difficulties involved in fluorescent dye injection as well as the lack of cell specificity of constitutively expressed aequorin, and revealed a new level of complexity in root calcium signalling.     

Overexpression of a wheat MYB transcription factor gene, TaMYB56-B, enhances tolerances to freezing and salt stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis

The MYB proteins play central roles in the stress response in plants. Our previous works identified a cold stress-related gene, TaMYB56, which encodes a MYB protein in wheat. In this study, we isolated the sequences of TaMYB56 genes, and mapped them to the wheat chromosomes 3B and 3D. The expression levels of TaMYB56-B and TaMYB56-D were strongly induced by cold stress, but slightly induced by salt stress in wheat. The detailed characterization of the Arabidopsis transgenic plants that overexpress TaMYB56-B revealed that TaMYB56-B is possibly involved in the responses of plant to freezing and salt stresses. The expression of some cold stress-responsive genes, such as DREB1A/CBF3 and COR15a, were found to be elevated in the TaMYB56-B-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants compared to wild-type. These results indicate that TaMYB56-B may act as a regulator in plant stress response.