三种锦鸡儿属植物过氧化氢酶基因的克隆及表达特性分析

为研究过氧化氢酶基因在锦鸡儿属植物抵御干旱胁迫中发挥的作用,采用兼并PCR (degenerate polymerase chain reaction, Deg-PCR)和末端克隆(rapid amplify cDNA ends, RACE)技术分离了柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskiikom)、小叶锦鸡儿(C. microphylla)和中间锦鸡儿(C. davazamcii)的过氧化氢酶(Catalase, CAT)基因cDNA序列,并对它们在干旱胁迫条件下的表达特性进行了比较分析。这3种锦鸡儿属植物CAT cDNA均为1 755 bp,含有1个1 479 bp的开放阅读框(open reading frame, ORF)、85个碱基的5'非编码区和201个碱基的3'非编码区,编码492个氨基酸的蛋白质。序列比较分析发现,该3条序列仅在322 bp处有一个碱基的差异(CkCAT为T碱基, CmCAT和CdCAT为C碱基),但它们编码相同的氨基酸。生物信息学分析显示,CkCAT、CmCAT和CiCAT的与其他植物的CAT蛋白具有较高的同源性,在进化上与豇豆和大豆的CAT亲缘关系较近。实时荧光定量PCR分析结果显示,在干旱胁迫条件下CkCAT、CmCAT和CdCAT的表达量明显升高,显示CAT在锦鸡儿属植物抵御干旱逆境中发挥重要作用。     

柠条锦鸡儿CkLEA1基因克隆及表达分析

植物受到逆境胁迫后,大量逆境响应基因会被诱导表达,LEA蛋白编码基因就是与植物抗旱、抗冷等非生物胁迫密切相关的一类基因.从已构建的柠条锦鸡儿干旱胁迫抑制性削减杂交文库中筛选到了一条LEA蛋白编码基因并进行了克隆.序列比对与系统进化分析显示该基因属于LEA3基因家族成员,命名为CkLEA1(GenBank登录号是KC309408).克隆得到该基因gDNA长469bp,包含两个外显子和一个内含子;cDNA长357bp,包含300bp的开放阅读框,推导编码99个氨基酸的蛋白质.利用荧光定量PCR技术对CkLEA1基因在各种逆境胁迫条件的表达情况进行初步研究表明,CkLEA1受干旱、ABA、冷、热、盐和碱等处理不同程度地诱导,推测其与柠条锦鸡儿响应逆境胁迫的机制有关.     

异源表达CiRS基因拟南芥的黄酮代谢及抑菌能力研究

白藜芦醇合成酶(resveratrol synthase,RS)是查耳酮合酶基因家族的一个重要酶,在植物体内催化白藜芦醇的生成。白藜芦醇是植物产生的一种非黄酮多酚类代谢产物,是植物在受到生物和非生物胁迫时产生的植物抗毒素,已证实具有多种生理活性。从转录组数据库中筛选获得注释为CHS基因的CDS序列,以中间锦鸡儿cDNA为模板,克隆得到基因全长。序列分析、系统进化分析和转该基因拟南芥研究结果表明,该基因为RS基因,因此将其命名为CiRS(GenBank登录号MF678590)。qRT-PCR检测分析发现,中间锦鸡儿CiRS基因的表达受到干旱、NaCl、紫外线等胁迫诱导。异源表达CiRS基因抑制了拟南芥自身At CHS基因的表达。同时转CiRS基因拟南芥的抑菌活性强于野生型。这些结果均证实了中间锦鸡儿CiRS基因在转基因拟南芥中发挥了相应的功能。     

柠条锦鸡儿F3H基因克隆及功能分析

柠条锦鸡儿为豆科灌木,对各种环境胁迫具有较强的适应能力,类黄酮是天然的抗氧化剂,花青素属类黄酮化合物,逆境胁迫会影响植物体内花青素的合成,而黄烷酮3-羟化酶(F3H)是花青素生物合成所必需的一种关键酶。该研究成功分离克隆了柠条锦鸡儿的F3H基因,命名为CkF3H。CkF3H基因的开放阅读框(ORF)为1095 bp,编码364个氨基酸,推测的蛋白质分子量为41.3 kDa,理论等电点为5.9。生物信息学分析发现,CkF3H基因序列与其它植物F3H有较高的一致性,推测CkF3H蛋白与其它植物F3H蛋白具有相似的功能。利用染色体步移法克隆得到CkF3H起始密码子ATG上游468 bp的启动子序列,PlantCARE软件分析表明,该序列具有启动子的基本元件CAAT-box和TATA-box以及多种与逆境胁迫相关的顺式调控元件。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,CkF3H在柠条的根、茎和叶中均有表达,没有组织特异性;CkF3H的表达受低温、高盐、干旱和高温胁迫的诱导,并且在低温胁迫下,CkF3H的表达还受到光周期的影响。综上所述,研究结果表明CkF3H基因在柠条锦鸡儿适应低温、高盐、干旱和高温胁迫的过程中发挥作用。     

大豆E3泛素连接酶基因GmAIRP1的同源克隆及在烟草中的功能鉴定

E3泛素连接酶在植物抵御高盐及干旱等非生物胁迫过程中发挥重要作用。本研究克隆获得大豆E3泛素连接酶基因GmAIRP1,该基因cDNA全长为642 bp,编码213个氨基酸。蛋白结构域分析表明,GmAIRP1具有典型的RING-finger结构域。系统进化树分析表明,GmAIRP1与蒺藜苜蓿MtAIRP1同源性最高,亲缘关系最近。表达分析显示,GmAIRP1可被高盐、干旱和ABA诱导表达,并在胁迫1 h或3 h时表达量达到最大。抗逆表型分析表明,GmAIRP1转基因烟草在高盐和干旱胁迫21 d后,生长状态优于野生型,提高了植株对高盐和干旱胁迫的耐受性。生理指标测定结果显示,在高盐和干旱胁迫下,GmAIRP1转基因烟草的POD和CAT活性提高,整体高于对照,MDA含量始终低于对照。以上研究结果表明,Gm AIRP1能够通过激活抗氧化酶活性、提高渗透调节物质的积累来增强植物抵御高盐和干旱胁迫的能力,在植物响应高盐和干旱胁迫中发挥正调控作用。     

柠条锦鸡儿香豆酸-3-羟化酶基因克隆及其功能初步研究

香豆酸-3-羟化酶(Coumarate 3-Hydroxylase,C3H)是木质素生物合成途径中的关键酶之一.以柠条锦鸡儿为材料,利用RACE技术克隆了C3H基因.对柠条锦鸡儿C3H基因的gDNA和cDNA全长分析显示该基因具有3个外显子,2个内含子,编码框长度为1530bp,编码509个氨基酸.预测该基因编码蛋白的等电点位7.67,分子量约57.61 kDa.氨基酸序列分析显示具有一个保守的P450结构域.系统进化分析表明该蛋白与大豆C3H具有最高的同源性,将该基因命名为CkC3H,GeneBank登录号为HQ829858.构建了35S启动子驱动的CkC3H基因植物表达载体,互补拟南芥C3H(CYP98A3)基因突变体ref8,转基因植物表型得以部分恢复.这些结果说明柠条锦鸡儿CkC3H与拟南芥C3H至少具有部分相同的功能.     

棉花GhMYB113基因的克隆与表达分析

该研究利用序列拼接并结合RT-PCR技术,从棉花叶片中克隆了1个MYB基因的cDNA序列,命名为GhMYB113。序列分析表明,该基因开放阅读框为738bp,编码246个氨基酸,含有2个MYB结构域,属R2R3-MYB类型转录因子。该基因的基因组序列长1 927bp,由3个外显子和2个内含子构成。氨基酸序列比对发现该蛋白与其他物种的MYB蛋白有较高的一致性。系统进化分析显示,棉花GhMYB113与现代杂交月季亲缘关系最近。qPCR分析发现,该基因在棉花根中优势表达,在干旱、高盐及低温胁迫后表达量均发生变化,推测GhMYB113可能在植物响应干旱、高盐及低温等非生物胁迫过程中起作用。     

三种锦鸡儿属植物水力结构特征及其干旱适应策略

水分胁迫是干旱半干旱区限制植物生长的主要因素。以干旱半干旱区的3种锦鸡儿属植物为研究对象,从生态适应策略角度来分析3种锦鸡儿植物产生生态分离的原因。对三种锦鸡儿属植物茎干叶片的显微结构、生理功能(导水率、光合速率以及水分利用效率)进行测定,并统计了3种锦鸡儿植株的形态特征,如一、二级枝的直径、长度、末端叶面积。结果表明:三种锦鸡儿属植物都能形成较小的导管直径来适应旱生环境,但是在导水结构上又表现出一定的差异性。中间锦鸡儿的导管直径最小,次脉密度和最大净光合速率最大;柠条锦鸡儿的导管直径、叶片厚度和比叶重(LMA)最大。小叶锦鸡儿在导水率下降50%时的水势(P_(50))最大,水分胁迫时极易发生栓塞,但正是由于导管的栓塞降低了水分运输效率,使其在旱生环境中能够通过减少水分的供应来降低水分的丧失,从而保证自身生长的水分需求;而中间锦鸡儿则主要通过减小导管直径来适应旱生环境;柠条锦鸡儿的水分利用效率最高,抗栓塞能力最强,抗旱性最好,同时柠条锦鸡儿可以通过减少蒸腾面积来减少水分的丧失。植物的导管直径大小、叶片厚度、LMA、叶脉密度对植物导水速率、光合速率等生理功能都有一定的影响。     

柠条锦鸡儿肉桂酰辅酶A还原酶基因克隆和分析

肉桂酰辅酶A还原酶(cinnamoyl-CoA reductase,CCR)是木质素特异合成途径中的关键酶。根据已报道的植物CCR基因序列设计简并引物,利用RACE技术,首次从柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinkii Kom.)中克隆得到CCR基因全长cDNA序列,命名为CkCCR,GenBank登录号为HQ829859。该序列长1 270bp,具备长度为1 014bp的完整开放阅读框(ORF)。推导该基因编码的蛋白质有434个氨基酸,预测等电点6.69,分子量36.76kDa。序列分析发现,柠条锦鸡儿CCR基因推导的氨基酸序列与其它植物来源的CCR序列高度相似,并且具有植物CCR共有的氨基酸序列"KNWYCYGKA"以及NADPH的结合序列。系统进化分析显示,柠条锦鸡儿CCR与拟南芥CCR2处于同一分支,与同属豆科的银合欢CCR亲缘关系最近。利用荧光定量PCR技术对柠条锦鸡儿一个月龄幼苗基因转录水平进行检测,结果显示CkCCR基因在根、茎、叶中广泛表达,并且干旱处理初期表达量有所下降,处理后期又恢复到未处理时的表达水平。     

同质园环境和遗传分化影响锦鸡儿属植物根际土壤固氮菌多样性和群落结构

环境和遗传分化共同影响植物的功能性状,进而能够通过根系分泌物影响根际微生物。本研究利用同质园试验,通过高通量测序技术,基于固氮酶基因nifH的同源性,分析同质园栽培的不同种源小叶锦鸡儿(Caraganamicrophylla)、中间锦鸡儿(C. liouana)和荒漠锦鸡儿(C.roborovskyi)根际土壤固氮菌多样性,并探究其与种源地气候及同质园土壤属性的关系。结果表明, 3种锦鸡儿植物根际土壤固氮菌隶属6门9纲18目21科33属72种,其中变形菌门、疣微菌门和蓝细菌门为优势门,优势属为中慢生根瘤菌属(Mesorhizobium)、固氮氢自养单胞菌属(Azohydromonas)和慢生根瘤菌属(Bradyrhizobium)。3种锦鸡儿根际土壤固氮菌α多样性种间差异不显著,但中间锦鸡儿和荒漠锦鸡儿根际土壤固氮菌的α多样性存在显著的种内差异(P<0.05),小叶锦鸡儿和荒漠锦鸡儿根际土壤固氮菌群落结构存在显著的种内差异(P<0.05)。冗余分析表明同质园土壤p H和种源地年均温分别是影响3种锦鸡儿根际土壤固氮菌多样性和群落结构变化的主要因子,说明3种锦鸡儿属植物根际土壤...     

Antioxidative system’s responses in the leaves of six Caragana species during drought stress and recovery

For investigating the protective roles of antioxidative system in desiccation tolerance of Caragana species as they adapt to arid environments, we monitored a variety of ecophysiological parameters in the leaves of Caragana arborescens (mesophyte), C. microphylla (semiarid species), C. roborovskyi, C. stenophylla, C. acanthophylla, and C. tragacanthoides (xerophyte) grown under a drying-rehydration cycle. Relative leaf water content and chlorophyll content were decreased by 17.4?C39.2?%, and by 14?C40?%, respectively, after exposure to 48?days of drought stress. Malondialdehyde did not increase in xeric Caragana species. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations increased by 13.1?C43.9?% except in C. acanthophylla. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in xeric Caragana species were significantly elevated with progressing drought stress. However, catalase in all species decreased markedly before drought stress treatment reached 40?days. The xeric Caragana species showed higher SOD, POD, APX, and GR activities, as well as ascorbate content, and more manganese SOD isoenzymes. C. arborescens and C. microphylla accumulated more free proline. Our data indicate that SOD and POD with the ascorbate?Cglutathione cycle have important protective effects in xeric Caragana species under drought stress. Free proline may be crucial in the resistance of C. arborescens and C. microphylla to drought stress.     

Genetic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caragana</Emphasis> species of the Ordos Plateau in China

Plants of the genus Caragana (Fabaceae) are dominant shrub species of high ecological and economic importance on the Ordos Plateau in China. Due to natural environmental variability and anthropogenic impacts, Caragana pastures have experienced severe degradation, which has decreased their carrying capacity. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity of eight Caragana species (C. purdomii, C. opulens, C. stenophylla, C. intermedia, C. korshinskii, C. roborovskyi, C. tibetica and C. brachypoda) on the Ordos Plateau by using ISSR markers. The results reveal high genetic diversity of all the species, with the percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) reaching 100%. However, interspecific differences in genetic diversity within the genus were significant, as indicated by higher levels of genetic diversity of C. stenophylla, C. tibetica, C. intermedia, C. korshinskii and C. roborovskyi (PPB > 86%) when compared to the C. brachypoda with the lowest genetic diversity (PPB = 42.86%). Caragana brachypoda showed the lowest genetic similarity with and largest genetic distance from other taxa of the genus. Caragana tibetica had higher genetic diversity than C. roborovskyi. A large genetic distance was found between C. roborovskyi and C. tibetica, although the two species belong to Ser. Tragacanthoides and grow in a semidesert area. Such differences in genetic structure may be the reason for large areas occupied by C. tibetica, whereas C. roborovsky has rather limited distribution in the semidesert area. Caragana intermedia had high genetic diversity and a large genetic differentiation between intraspecific populations implying strong adaptability of the species to environmental fluctuations and selection capabilities. There was an obvious gene flow between C. intermedia and C. korshinskii, suggesting possible hybridization between these species is consistent with ecological variability, which may be important characteristics of Caragana plants in terms of molecular variation in the ecotone of Ordos plateau. Our results provide a molecular basis for sustainable management, utilization and conservation of Caragana plants on the Ordos plateau.     

Drought responses of three closely related Caragana species: implication for their vicarious distribution

Drought is a major environmental constraint affecting growth and distribution of plants in the desert region of the Inner Mongolia plateau. Caragana microphylla, C. liouana, and C. korshinskii are phylogenetically close but distribute vicariously in Mongolia plateau. To gain a better understanding of the ecological differentiation between these three species, we examined the leaf gas exchange, growth, water use efficiency, biomass accumulation and allocation by subjecting their seedlings to low and high drought treatments in a glasshouse. Increasing drought stress had a significant effect on many aspects of seedling performance in all species, but the physiology and growth varied with species in response to drought. C. korshinskii exhibited lower sensitivity of photosynthetic rate and growth, lower specific leaf area, higher biomass allocation to roots, higher levels of water use efficiency to drought compared with the other two species. Only minor interspecific differences in growth performances were observed between C. liouana and C. microphylla. These results indicated that faster seedling growth rate and more efficient water use of C. korshinskii should confer increased drought tolerance and facilitate its establishment in more severe drought regions relative to C. liouana and C. microphylla.     

Cloning of Ten Peroxidase (<Emphasis Type="Italic">POD</Emphasis>) Genes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tamarix Hispida</Emphasis> and Characterization of their Responses to Abiotic Stress

Plant peroxidases (PODs) have been ascribed a variety of biological functions, including hydrogen peroxide detoxification, lignin biosynthesis, hormonal signaling, and stress response. In the present study, ten POD genes, including three ascorbate peroxidases (class I PODs) and seven secretory peroxidases (class III PODs), were cloned from Tamarix hispida. The roles of the ten POD genes were addressed under different abiotic stress conditions, and gene expression profiles in roots, stems, and leaves were evaluated using real-time quantitative reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that the relative abundance of the PODs was markedly different in roots, stems, and leaves, indicating that POD activity differs in these three organs. ThPOD1 and ThPOD8 were the most and least abundant, respectively, in all organs. The expression profiles in response to abiotic stresses were organ specific. All of the genes were highly induced by drought, salt, salt–alkaline, CdCl₂, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments in at least one organ. Five ThPOD genes were induced in roots, stems, and leaves under all of the studied stress conditions, indicating that they are closely associated with abiotic stress. Our results demonstrate that the ten plant peroxidases are all expressed in leaves, stems, and roots, that they are involved in different abiotic stress responses, and that they are controlled by an ABA-dependent stress signaling pathway.     

Salt tolerance in crop plants: new approaches through tissue culture and gene regulation

Recent approaches to study of salinity tolerance in crop plants have ranged from genetic mapping to molecular characterization of gene products induced by salt/drought stress. Transgenic plant design has allowed to test the effects of overexpression of specific prokaryotic or plant genes that are known to be up-regulated by salt/drought stress. This review summarizes current progress in the field in the context of adaptive metabolic and physiological responses to salt stress and their potential role in long term tolerance. Specifically considered are gene activation by salt, in view of proposed avenues for improved salt tolerance and the need to ascertain the additional influences of developmental regulation of such genes. Discussion includes the alternate genetic strategy we have pursued for improving salinity tolerance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.). This strategy combines single-step selection of salt-tolerant cells in culture, followed by regeneration of salt-tolerant plants and identification of genes important in conferring salt tolerance. We have postulated that activation or improved expression of a subset of genes encoding functions that are particularly vulnerable under conditions of salt-stress could counteract the molecular effects of such stress and could provide incremental improvements in tolerance. We have proceeded to identify the acquired specific changes in gene regulation for our salt-tolerant mutant cells and plants. One particularly interesting and novel gene isolate from the salt-tolerant cells is Alfin1, which encodes a putative zinc-finger regulatory protein, expressed predominantly in roots. We have demonstrated that this protein binds DNA in a sequence specific manner and may be potentially important in gene regulation in roots in response to salt and an important marker for salt tolerance in crop plants.     

Osmoregulation in the model organismEscherichia coli: genes governing the synthesis of glycine betaine and trehalose and their use in metabolic engineering of stress tolerance

Glycine betaine is known to be the preferred osmoprotectant in many bacteria, and glycine betaine accumulation has also been correlated with increased cold tolerance. Trehalose is often a minor osmoprotectant in bacteria and it is a major determinant for desiccation tolerance in many so-called anhydrobiotic organisms such as baker's yeast(Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Escherichia coli has two pathways for synthesis of these protective molecules; i.e., a two-step conversion of UDP-glucose and glucose-6-phosphate to trehalose and a two-step oxidation of externally-supplied choline to glycine betaine. The genes governing the choline-to-glycine betaine pathway have been studied inE. coli and several other bacteria and higher plants. The genes governing UDP-glucose-dependent trehalose synthesis have been studied inE. coli andS. cerevisiae. Because of their well-documented function in stress protection, glycine betaine and trehalose have been identified as targets for metabolic engineering of stress tolerance. Examples of this experimental approach include the expression of theE. coli betA andArthrobacter globiformis codA genes for glycine betaine synthesis in plants and distantly related bacteria, and the expression of theE. coli otsA and yeastTPS1 genes for trehalose synthesis in plants. The published data show that glycine betaine synthesis protects transgenic plants and phototrophic bacteria against stress caused by salt and cold. Trehalose synthesis has been reported to confer increased drought tolerance in transgenic plants, but it causes negative side effects which is of concern. Thus, the much-used model organismE. coli has now become a gene resource for metabolic engineering of stress tolerance.