西瓜果实特异启动子WSP功能区域的初步定位

西瓜AGPase 的大亚基基因wml1的 5′端上游1573bp序列,是一个果实特异性启动子(命名为WSP)。根据WSP内部酶切位点,获得了3个不同5′端缺失的启动子片段（长分别为 1201bp、898bp、795bp）,并构建成植物瞬间表达载体,与含WSP的瞬间表达载体一起用基因枪的方法转入西瓜叶、茎、花及不同发育期果实中。瞬时表达结果表明,1573bp 、1201bp 、898bp的片段均能指导GUS基因在西瓜果实和花中特异性表达,但是表达强度和表达时期有所不同,795bp的片段不能指导GUS基因表达。推测在180bp-551bp之间可能存在促进外源基因在果实发育后期表达的顺式作用元件,而果实特异调控区域可能位于854bp-957bp之间。     

西瓜果实特异性基因wml1的5''端上游调控序列的分离

西瓜(Citrullus vulgris Schrad.)ADP-葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶大亚基基因wml1的表达具有果实特异性。本文利用Uneven PCR技术成功地从西瓜基因组DNA中分离出一段长1864bp、位于wml1基因5’端上游的新序列。该序列含有TATA盒和CAAT盒,具典型的启动子特征。克隆序列中180bp-1752bp和958bp-1752bp两个片段分别与GUS基因融合进行瞬间表达试验,结果初步表明180bp-1752bp片段具有果实特异性启动子活性,转录调控元件位于序列的180bp-958bp。     

西瓜果实特异性基因wml1的5‘端上游调控序列的分离

西瓜（Citrullus vulgris Schrad.)ADP-葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶大亚基基因wml1的表达具有果实特异性。本文利用Uneven PCR技术成功地从西瓜基因组DNA中分离出一段长1864bp、位于wml1基因5‘端上游的新序列。该序列含有TATA盒和CAAT盒,具典型的启动子特征。克隆序列中180bp-1752bp和958bp-1752bp两个片段分别与GUS基因融合进行瞬间表达试验,结果初步表明180bp-1752bp片段具有果实特异性启动子活性,转录调控元件位于序列的180bp-958bp。     

水稻OsHAK26启动子的克隆及瞬时表达分析

对水稻KT/HAK/KUP钾离子转运蛋白家族OsHAK26起始密码子上游2 064bp序列进行分析,发现该序列除了具备TATA-Box、CAAT-Box等基本启动子元件外,还含有许多发育、激素、非生物胁迫等响应元件以及KT/HAK/KUP家族启动子普遍存在的元件。用该片段及5'端缺失的-1 473bp、-963bp、-441bp、-193bp四个片段分别取代植物瞬时表达载体pBI-221的CaMV35S启动子区域,并利用拟南芥叶肉原生质体进行瞬时表达分析。结果表明,这五种片段都具有一定的启动活性,随着长度减小,活性下降,但缺失-963bp~-441bp之间的片段却导致活性显著回升,推断该区段含有抑制元件,缺失-441bp~-193bp之间的片段导致活性大幅下降,推断-441bp~-193bp为OsHAK26基因启动子的核心启动区域。     

草莓果实MADS-box基因保守片段的克隆与序列分析

根据多种植物MADS-box基因保守区序列设计简并引物,应用PCR技术从草莓绿果中分高出33条MADS-box基因cDNA片段.序列分析表明,这些片段长度在137 - 146 bp之间,包含基因起始密码子.推导的氨基酸序列与已登录的草莓的MADS-box基因同源性超过87％.推导的氨基酸序列与已知的革莓和其他物种调控果实发育成熟的MADs-box基因以及拟南芥的MADS-box家族基因进行系统发育分析,可将这些基因片段分科归入拟南芥MADS-box基因不同亚家族中,证明草莓果实中存在各类MADS-box家族基因,克隆的部分片段可能参与调控果实发育和成熟软化的调节.     

辽宁碱蓬胆碱单加氧酶(CMO)基因启动子分离及功能元件分析

根据已知的辽宁碱蓬CMO cDNA 5′端序列设计两个基因特异的反向引物(CR1,CR2),通过衔接头PCR获得了CMO基因起始密码子上游498 bp的序列。根据所获得的序列设计两个基因特异的反向引物(CR3,CR4),用CR2、CR3、CR4分别与4个简并引物配对,通过TAIL-PCR扩增,获得了约2 kb的序列。经Sequencer软件拼接上述两段序列,获得了CMO基因起始密码子上游2,332 bp的序列。用TSSP-TCM软件分析此序列,预测出转录起始点(C)位于起始密码子上游128 bp处,由此我们获得了2,204 bp的SlCMO启动子序列。用PLACE软件分析此序列,发现该序列具有启动子的基本元件TATA-box、CAAT-box,包含多个胁迫诱导元件,如盐诱导元件GAAAAA,冷胁迫诱导元件CANNTG,ABA 响应因子NAACAA,水胁迫元件CGGTTG和伤害诱导元件GTTAGGTTC等,是一个强的胁迫诱导启动子。辽宁碱蓬胆碱单加氧酶基因盐诱导启动子的获得,为盐诱导启动子功能元件分析提供了可能,为进一步研究启动子结构与功能的相互关系、CMO基因的表达调控机制奠定了基础。     

白木香AsFPS1启动子的克隆及功能的初步分析

本研究利用白木香(Aquilaria sinensis)同属植物Aquilaria agallocha的基因组数据,获得一条具有与白木香法呢基焦磷酸合酶基因(AsFPS1)相似性极高的基因序列,并克隆了该基因的起始密码子(ATG)上游1 226 bp处的启动子序列。该序列中AT含量为63.03%,与启动子特征相符。预测的转录起始位点位于起始密码子ATG上游73 bp处,除了具有CAAT-BOX和TATA-BOX等真核生物启动子核心元件外,还存在ARE,Box I,G-Box,ACE等厌氧诱导顺式作用元件和光应答元件。该序列能够驱动GUS的表达,具有启动子的活性,茉莉酸甲酯和赤霉素两种激素处理可显著地增强该启动子活性。本实验为进一步研究AsFPS1基因的表达及调控机制研究提供了一定的理论依据。     

水稻RPR1启动子片段对烯丙异噻唑诱导响应性的分析

烯丙异噻唑是一种合成化合物,可诱导植物产生广谱抗病性。水稻中的RPR1（dee probenazoleresponsive）基因可能参与了烯丙异噻唑诱导抗病的过程。本研究用5’端删除的方法克隆了RPR1基因的5个不同长度的启动子片段（2416bp、1574bp、819bp、568bp、208bp）,将其分别与GUS基因融合后转化拟南芥和水稻愈伤组织。结果表明,除208bp片段外,其余各片段在水稻愈伤组织中可受烯丙异噻唑诱导而驱动GUS基因的表达：1574bp和2416bp序列在异位表达系统的拟南芥中可驱动GUS的表达,说明单子叶和双子叶植物在烯丙异噻唑诱导获得抗病性的过程中可能存在某些共同机制;另外,1574bp和2416bp片段只驱动GUS在拟南芥芽顶端分生组织和叶柄中表达,说明这2个片段中可能含有调控组织特异性表达的顺式作用元件。这些烯丙异噻唑应答片段的鉴定为构建可用于基因表达分析,特别是田间可诱导基因表达系统提供了基础。     

甘蔗ScMOC1基因启动子的克隆与瞬时表达分析

MOC1属于植物特有的GRAS家族蛋白基因,是调控植物腋芽形成发育的关键基因。启动子对基因转录效率起直接调控作用,其功能分析可以精确定位基因的表达部位、发育阶段和调控机制,克隆甘蔗腋芽形成发育关键基因ScMOC1的启动子序列,研究其功能对该基因表达调控机制具有重要意义。本研究以我国主栽甘蔗品种新台糖22号(ROC22)的基因组DNA为模板,通过基因组步移和巢式PCR技术克隆到ScMOC1起始密码子ATG上游1874 bp的启动子序列。PlantCARE在线分析预测表明,该序列包含多个真核生物启动子必需的核心元件TATA-box、CAAT-box以及与光响应、激素响应和分生组织表达等相关的顺式作用元件,推测ScMOC1启动子可通过激素诱导调控ScMOC1表达,且该启动子可能通过分生组织表达顺式调控元件CAT-box参与ScMOC1对甘蔗分蘖的调控。将获得的启动子序列替换pBI121质粒中的CaMV35S启动子驱动下游GUS基因表达进行活性分析,结果表明:本研究克隆的启动子片段能驱动GUS基因在甘蔗嫩叶中瞬时表达。5′缺失分析表明该启动子的基础启动子序列在起始密码子ATG上游350～500 bp之间。该结果为后续ScMOC1的调控机制研究奠定了良好的基础。     

巴西橡胶树HbNTL1基因启动子的克隆与序列分析

膜结合NAC转录因子(NTLs)是植物NAC转录因子家族中一类C端具有跨膜结构域(transmembrane motifs,TMs)的转录调控因子,在植物生长发育、激素调节和逆境胁迫应答中具有重要的功能。根据巴西橡胶树(Hevea brasiliensis)膜结合类NAC转录因子HbNTL1基因cDNA序列,利用基因组步移的方法从巴西橡胶树叶片基因组DNA中克隆获得了HbNTL1基因上游1 718 bp的调控片段。序列分析表明,该段序列含有一个典型的真核生物核心启动子区域,转录起始位点A位于起始密码子上游206 bp处。该启动子序列除了含有多个TATA-box、CAAT-box等基本顺式作用元件外,还存在赤霉素、茉莉酸和脱落酸等激素响应元件以及大量逆境胁迫诱导相关的顺式调控元件,如ABRE、DOFCOREZM、MYBCORE、W-box和MYCCONSENSUSATHSE等反应元件,表明HbNTL1转录因子可能是一个逆境胁迫相关NAC转录因子,在橡胶树抵御逆境胁迫的生理过程中具有重要功能。     

Regulation of the cell expansion gene RHD3 during Arabidopsis development

The RHD3 (ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE3) gene encodes a putative GTP-binding protein required for appropriate cell enlargement in Arabidopsis. To obtain insight into the mechanisms of RHD3 regulation, we conducted a molecular genetic dissection of RHD3 gene expression and function. Gene fusion and complementation studies show that the RHD3 gene is highly expressed throughout Arabidopsis development and is controlled by two major regulatory regions. One regulatory region is located between -1,500 and -600 bp upstream of the RHD3 gene and is required for vascular tissue expression. The other region is intragenically located and includes the 558-bp first intron, which is responsible for high-level expression of RHD3 throughout the plant. The presence and location of this intron is essential for gene function because constructs lacking this intron or constructs with the intron in an abnormal position are unable to functionally complement the rhd3 mutations. We also analyzed the role of other RHD genes and the plant hormones auxin and ethylene in RHD3 regulation, and we determined that these act downstream or independently from the RHD3 pathway. This study shows that multiple levels of regulation are employed to ensure the appropriate expression of RHD3 throughout Arabidopsis development.     

Light-dependent and tissue-specific expression of the H-protein of the glycine decarboxylase complex.

Glycine decarboxylase is a mitochondrial enzyme complex, which is the site of photorespiratory CO2 and NH3 release. Although the proteins that constitute the complex are located within the mitochondria, because of their intimate association with photosynthesis their expression is controlled by light. Comparisons of the kinetics of mRNA accumulation between the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and the H-protein of glycine decarboxylase during the greening of etiolated Arabidopsis thaliana suggest that their expression is controlled in parallel. A genomic clone for the H-protein (gdcH) was isolated from Arabidopsis and sequenced. The upstream region from -856 to +62 was fused to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene, and this construct was transformed into tobacco. This 5' upstream regulatory region appears to control GUS expression in a manner very similar to that of the endogenous H-protein gene. Constructs with deletions in the 5' upstream region were transformed into tobacco. These deletions revealed that light-dependent and tissue-specific expression was largely controlled by a 259-bp region between -376 and -117 bp. This region contains several putative GT boxes with the GGTTAA consensus core sequence. Once these strong light-dependent elements were removed, a second level of control was revealed. In constructs in which the gdcH 5' regulatory region was shortened to -117 bp or less, there was more GUS activity in the roots than in the leaves, and in dark-grown plants than in light-grown plants. This suggests that more proximal control elements may be responsible for the constitutive low levels of gene expression noted in all nonphotosynthetic tissues.     

The Pap1-independent induction by metal ions of a third gene encoding glutathione S-transferase gene from the fission yeast

A third gene that encodes glutathione S-transferase (GSTIII) was previously cloned from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Using the GSTIII-lacZ fusion plasmid pGDA-19, its expression was shown to be enhanced by various metal ions. In the present study, four additional fusion plasmids, pGDA-29, pGDA-39, PGDA-49, and pGDA-59, were designed to carry 998, 378, 276, and 115 bp upstream regions from the translational initiation point, respectively. The major activation region was located between -998 and -378 bp upstream of the GSTIII gene. Regulatory sequences that are responsible for the induction by metal ions reside between -998 and -378 bp and between -276 and -115 bp upstream of the gene. The overexpressed Pap1 exerts a repression effect on the GSTIII expression via -998 to approximately -378 bp region, whereas it exerts an activation effect on the GSTIII expression via -270 to approximately -115 bp region. However, the induction of the GSTIII gene by metal ions occurs independent of Pap1.