棉花赤霉素氧化酶同源基因GhGA20ox1在烟草中的功能表达

为研究棉花GA20-氧化酶同源基因GhGA20ox1的功能,将该基因转入本明烟（N．benthamiana）中进行超量表达。RT-PCR分析表明GhGA20ox1基因在转基因植株中得到了不同水平的表达。GhGA20ox1基因的超量表达促进了本明烟中的GA4＋7合成,并导致赤霉素过量的表型出现。转基因本明烟的表型变化程度与GhGA20ox1基因的表达水平和GA4＋7的含量一致。这些结果表明,GhGA20ox1基因编码一个有功能的GA20-氧化酶,能够在转基因烟草中促进活性GA（GA4＋7）的合成,可以用作目的基因来提高棉花纤维和其他植物的内源GA水平。     

能源植物小桐子赤霉素合成代谢及信号转导相关基因的鉴定及序列分析

赤霉素(gibberellin,GA)是一类非常重要的植物激素,在植物种子萌发、茎干伸长、叶片生长、腺毛发育、花粉成熟、开花诱导和果实成熟等生长发育过程中都发挥着重要的作用。GA在一年生草本植物中可以促进开花,而在大多数多年生木本植物中则抑制成花诱导。为了更好地研究赤霉素在木本油料能源植物小桐子(Jatropha curcas)开花调控方面的作用机理,我们对小桐子整个基因组中参与GA合成代谢和信号转导的全部基因进行了鉴定和序列分析。这些基因包括6个多基因家族编码的蛋白,即GA2氧化酶(GA2-oxidase,GA2ox)、GA3氧化酶(GA3-oxidase,GA3ox)、GA20氧化酶(GA20-oxidase,GA20ox)、GID1(GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF1)、DELLAs和F-box蛋白,以及2个单基因编码的蛋白,EL1(EARLY FLOWERING1)和SPY(SPINDLY)。采用拟南芥和水稻中已经鉴定的上述基因编码的蛋白序列在小桐子基因组序列数据库和本实验的小桐子转录组数据库中进行BLASTP分析,找到17个同源蛋白的全长序列,并将其与28个拟南芥的、16个水稻的、24个葡萄的和22个蓖麻的同源蛋白构建系统发育树进行比对分析。结果表明,小桐子中参与赤霉素合成代谢及信号转导的大多数基因与蓖麻和葡萄同源基因的相似度更高。     

蒺藜苜蓿株高控制基因COSTIN的克隆及功能研究

株高是影响植物株型建成的重要农艺性状之一,直接决定作物的倒伏性和生物产量,但目前关于苜蓿等豆科牧草株高性状形成的分子调控机制尚不清楚。通过定向筛选豆科模式植物蒺藜苜蓿Tnt1逆转座子插入突变体库,分离鉴定了一个蒺藜苜蓿矮化突变体compact stalk internodes(costin),该突变体的矮化表型是由于茎节伸长受到抑制所致。通过基因表型连锁分析成功克隆了COSTIN基因,该基因编码一个钙离子交换蛋白,与拟南芥的CALCIUM EXCHANGER 7(CAX7) 基因高度同源。qRT-PCR检测发现COSTIN基因在茎、叶和果荚等组织中有较高的表达。进一步研究发现在costin突变体中赤霉素合成途径关键基因MtCPS、MtKAO1、MtGA20ox4、MtGA20ox7和MtGA3ox1表达下调;外施赤霉素GA3可以恢复costin突变体的矮化表型。上述研究表明COSTIN基因通过影响植物激素赤霉素的生物合成来调控蒺藜苜蓿的茎节伸长。     

小桐子赤霉素20氧化酶的基因克隆及低温下表达分析

赤霉素20氧化酶是植物赤霉素生物合成的限速酶,决定有生物活性的GA1与GA4的合成量。基于先前获得的小桐子低温锻炼转录组数据,以小桐子幼苗的根为材料,采用RT-PCR技术克隆到小桐子赤霉素20氧化酶基因Jc GA20ox的c DNA序列(Gen Bank登录号KJ670150.1)。该c DNA全长1 307 bp,含有完整的开放阅读框(1 131 bp),编码376个氨基酸,分子量为43 k D,理论等电点为6.7。其推导蛋白属于2-ODD家族,包含2-酮戊二酸双加氧酶结构域(Fe2OG_OXY)。半定量RT-PCR表达分析显示,Jc GA20ox在小桐子各组织中都有表达,但表达水平具有组织特异性,在茎中表达量较高,且受低温诱导表达最显著,而在叶中表达量相对较低。     

荔波连蕊茶GA20氧化酶基因的克隆及表达分析

根据植物GA20ox基因编码区的保守序列设计引物,以山茶属荔波连蕊茶幼嫩茎段为材料,提取总RNA,进行RT-PCR。采用RACE技术扩增获得1 567 bp的GA20氧化酶基因全长cDNA序列,命名为ClGA20ox2(GenBank登录号KF823787)。序列分析表明,ClGA20ox2开放阅读框(ORF)为1 146 bp,编码382个氨基酸,5'非编码区115 bp,3'非编码区303 bp。预测的蛋白质分子量为43.56 kD,等电点为7.02,所推导的蛋白氨基酸序列与夹竹桃和杨树GA20ox蛋白的同源性分别为73%和72%。ClGA20ox2与其它植物GA20ox蛋白比较,构建系统进化树,结果显示山茶GA20ox蛋白与夹竹桃和杨树的GA20ox蛋白的亲缘关系最为密切。实时定量PCR结果显示,该基因在荔波连蕊茶的根、茎、叶和种子中均有表达,其表达模式却不同:ClGA20ox2基因在二年生茎段中的表达丰度最高,在顶端分生组织中表达丰度最低,在嫩叶和根中表达丰度较高,成熟叶片和种子表达丰度较低。     

森林草莓FvZF-HD7基因的鉴定及表达分析

锌指同源蛋白ZF-HD(zinc finger homeodomain)家族是植物中所特有的一类转录因子家族,在响应植物逆境胁迫,调控花发育以及种子寿命等方面具有重要作用,但其在草莓中的功能尚不清楚。该研究从森林草莓(Fragaria vesca)基因组数据库分离获得了10个ZF-HD家族的基因。进化树分析显示,按照亲缘关系远近该基因家族可分为6个不同的亚族;启动子顺式元件分析发现,该基因家族基因的启动子区域含有较多的逆境胁迫和激素响应相关的元件。荧光定量PCR检测发现,FvZF-HD7基因在花中的表达量显著大于其他基因;组织特异性表达分析表明,FvZF-HD7基因在花中表达量最高,在叶和茎中也有表达,在果实发育的前期表达量较高,而在果实发育后期急剧降低。利用森林草莓‘Yellow Wonder 5AF7’(YW)的cDNA成功克隆到FvZF-HD7基因,生物学信息学分析表明FvZF-HD7基因全长1083 bp,编码360个氨基酸;序列比对结果显示,其编码的蛋白质同时含有ZF以及HD保守结构域;蛋白质的相对分子质量为39153.89 Da,结构中富含α螺旋和无规则卷曲。成功构建表达载体pGWB5-FvZF-HD7,将目的基因载体转入烟草中,Confocal激光共聚焦显微镜观察发现,转基因烟草的细胞核中检测到GFP信号,表明FvZF-HD7蛋白定位于细胞核中。研究表明,FvZF-HD7可能广泛参与了植物花发育和逆境胁迫调控,为进一步分析森林草莓ZF-HD基因家族的功能奠定了理论与分子基础。     

枸杞LbSPL6基因的克隆及表达分析

从实验室前期对枸杞(Lycium barbarum L.)花发育过程转录组测序结果推测,枸杞Squamosa启动子结合蛋白(Squamosa promoter binding protein-like,SPL)转录因子可能在枸杞花发育过程中发挥重要功能。该研究以宁夏特色植物资源枸杞为材料,采用RACE方法克隆LbSPL6基因,通过生物信息学及基因表达分析对该基因进行初步研究。结果表明:(1)成功克隆获得LbSPL6基因,其开放阅读框全长1524 bp,编码507个氨基酸,分子量为55.34 kD;序列分析表明LbSPL6蛋白中包含3个保守基序,且氨基酸序列与茄科植物同源蛋白的氨基酸序列高度相似。(2)qRT-PCR分析证实,LbSPL6基因在枸杞花器官中表达,并且在花药发育的四分体时期及单核花粉时期表达量较高;亚细胞定位实验证明,LbSPL6蛋白定位于细胞核中。该研究结果为进一步研究枸杞LbSPL6转录因子在花发育过程中的功能和作用机制奠定了基础。     

巴西橡胶树赤霉素信号转导途径HbRGA1结构和功能分析

DELLA蛋白是赤霉素激素信号负调控因子,具有抑制植物生长发育的作用。解析其家族成员结构与功能将有助于揭示橡胶树DELLA蛋白家族成员调控橡胶树生长发育的机制。本研究从橡胶树热研73397叶片中克隆HbRGA1的cDNA全长序列。该基因长为2136 bp,含1839 bp的ORF,编码613个氨基酸。HbRGA1蛋白序列包含DELLA和GRAS保守结构域,与杨树、木薯和橡胶树DELLA基因相似性高达82.5%。qRT-PCR分析发现HbRGA1在橡胶树叶片中表达量高,在树皮和胶乳中表达量极低。叶片中HbRGA1表达量受喷施赤霉素和脱落酸等诱导显著上调。本研究表明HbRGA1与橡胶树赤霉素等激素信号密切相关,为深入研究其在橡胶树生长发育中的结构和功能打下良好基础。     

丹参硫氧还蛋白基因SmTrxh的克隆和生物信息学分析

对丹参EST数据库进行BLAST同源性比对发现,登录号为CV165156的EST序列与硫氧还蛋白基因（Trx）有很高的同源性。进一步用PCR方法从丹参基因组水平上克隆到长1806bp的DNA序列（登录号为FJ217699）,与cDNA序列比对发现,该基因（SmTrxh）含有2个内含子。生物信息学分析表明,SmTrxh所编码蛋白的分子质量为13．4kDa,理论等电点为5．53,无信号肽,属于定位于细胞质中的稳定类蛋白。该蛋白与其他7种植物中的Trx高度同源,同源性介于68％-74％之间。实时定量PCR检测的结果显示,SmTrxh在丹参中为组成型表达基因,在根、茎和叶中都有表达,主要在根部表达,茎中的表达量最低。     

OsGA3ox通过合成不同活性GA调控水稻育性及株高

赤霉素(gibberellin,GA)是一种重要的激素,参与调控植物多种生长发育过程。GA生物合成通路已基本阐明,其中赤霉素3β羟化酶(gibberellin 3β-hydroxylase,GA3ox)是多种活性GA合成的关键酶。水稻中有2个GA3ox基因(OsGA3ox1和OsGA3ox2),其生理功能虽有初步研究,但它们在合成活性GA调控水稻发育过程中是如何分工协作尚不清楚。本研究通过CRISPR/Cas9技术获得基因编辑突变体ga3ox1和ga3ox2,发现ga3ox1花粉育性显著下降,而ga3ox2株高显著变矮,表明OsGA3ox1是花粉正常发育必需的,而OsGA3ox2是茎叶伸长必需的。组织表达分析表明,OsGA3ox1主要在未开的花中表达,OsGA3ox2主要在未伸长的叶中表达。进一步对野生型(WT)和两个ga3ox突变体未开的花、未伸长的叶及根中的GA进行检测分析,发现OsGA3ox1在花中催化GA9形成GA7与花粉育性密切相关;OsGA3ox2在未伸长的叶中催化GA20形成GA1调控株高;OsGA3ox1在根中催化GA19形成GA20,调控GA3的生成。总之,OsGA3...     

Gibberellin homeostasis in tobacco is regulated by gibberellin metabolism genes with different gibberellin sensitivity

Gibberellins are phytohormones that regulate growth and development of plants. Gibberellin homeostasis is maintained by feedback regulation of gibberellin metabolism genes. To understand this regulation, we manipulated the gibberellin pathway in tobacco and studied its effects on the morphological phenotype, gibberellin levels and the expression of endogenous gibberellin metabolism genes. The overexpression of a gibberellin 3-oxidase (biosynthesis gene) in tobacco (3ox-OE) induced slight variations in phenotype and active GA(1) levels, but we also found an increase in GA(8) levels (GA(1) inactivation product) and a conspicuous induction of gibberellin 2-oxidases (catabolism genes; NtGA2ox3 and -5), suggesting an important role for these particular genes in the control of gibberellin homeostasis. The effect of simultaneous overexpression of two biosynthesis genes, a gibberellin 3-oxidase and a gibberellin 20-oxidase (20ox/3ox-OE), on phenotype and gibberellin content suggests that gibberellin 3-oxidases are non-limiting enzymes in tobacco, even in a 20ox-OE background. Moreover, the expression analysis of gibberellin metabolism genes in transgenic plants (3ox-OE, 20ox-OE and hybrid 3ox/20ox-OE), and in response to application of different GA(1) concentrations, showed genes with different gibberellin sensitivity. Gibberellin biosynthesis genes (NtGA20ox1 and NtGA3ox1) are negatively feedback regulated mainly by high gibberellin levels. In contrast, gibberellin catabolism genes which are subject to positive feedback regulation are sensitive to high (NtGA2ox1) or to low (NtGA2ox3 and -5) gibberellin concentrations. These two last GA2ox genes seem to play a predominant role in gibberellin homeostasis under mild gibberellin variations, but not under large gibberellin changes, where the biosynthesis genes GA20ox and GA3ox may be more important.     

Flowering in tobacco needs gibberellins but is not promoted by the levels of active GA1 and GA4 in the apical shoot

Flowering of Nicotiana tabacum cv Xhanti depends on gibberellins because gibberellin-deficient plants, due to overexpression of a gibberellin 2-oxidase gene (35S:NoGA2ox3) or to treatment with the gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol, flowered later than wild type. These plants also showed inhibition of the expression of molecular markers related to floral transition (NtMADS-4 and NtMADS-11). To investigate further the role of gibberellin in flowering, we quantified its content in tobacco plants during development. We found a progressive reduction in the levels of GA1 and GA4 in the apical shoot during vegetative growth, reaching very low levels at floral transition and beyond. This excludes these two gibberellins as flowering-promoting factors in the apex. The evolution of active gibberellin content in apical shoots agrees with the expression patterns of gibberellin metabolism genes: two encoding gibberellin 20-oxidases (NtGA20ox1 = Ntc12, NtGA20ox2 = Ntc16), one encoding a gibberellin 3-oxidase (NtGA3ox1 = Nty) and one encoding a gibberellin 2-oxidase (NtGA2ox1), suggesting that active gibberellins are locally synthesized. In young apical leaves, GA1 and GA4 content and the expression of gibberellin metabolism genes were rather constant. Our results support that floral transition in tobacco, in contrast to that in Arabidopsis, is not regulated by the levels of GA1 and GA4 in apical shoots, although reaching a threshold in gibberellin levels may be necessary to allow meristem competence for flowering.     

Isolation and expression of GA 2-oxidase2 in tomato.

GA 2-oxidases, a key enzyme involves GA biosynthesis, catalyze the degradation of active C(19)-Gibberellins (GAs) through 2-hydroxylation yields inactive GA product. Searching public tomato database, the putative GA2ox2 sequences were assembled. We isolated a full-length GA2ox2 cDNA with primers designed from the assembled sequence. This gene was designed as SlGA2ox2 (GenBank accession No. EF017805). The full-length GA2ox2 gene contained a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 1203 bp, which encoded 322 amino acid residues. Amino acid sequence homology analysis of SlGA2ox2 showed an 88% identity with NtGA2ox2 in tobacco. And alignments of SlGA2ox2 with other known GA2ox from Arabidopsis, Pea, Adzuki Bean, Winter Squash etc indicate low similarity of 47-70%. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed a specific expression profile of SlGA2ox2 in different tissues, which mainly expressed in flowers and traces were detected in roots, stems, leaves and immature fruits.     

Expression of a gibberellin 2-oxidase gene around the shoot apex is related to phase transition in rice

A major catabolic pathway for gibberellin (GA) is initiated by 2beta-hydroxylation, a reaction catalyzed by GA 2-oxidase. We have isolated and characterized a cDNA, designated Oryza sativa GA 2-oxidase 1 (OsGA2ox1) from rice (Oryza sativa L. cv Nipponbare) that encodes a GA 2-oxidase. The encoded protein, produced by heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, converted GA(1), GA(4), GA(9), GA(20), and GA(44) to the corresponding 2beta-hydroxylated products GA(8), GA(34), GA(51), GA(29), and GA(98), respectively. Ectopic expression of the OsGA2ox1 cDNA in transgenic rice inhibited stem elongation and the development of reproductive organs. These transgenic plants were deficient in endogenous GA(1). These results indicate that OsGA2ox1 encodes a GA 2-oxidase, which is functional not only in vitro but also in vivo. OsGA2ox1 was expressed in shoot apex and roots but not in leaves and stems. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that OsGA2ox1 mRNA was localized in a ring at the basal region of leaf primordia and young leaves. This ring-shaped expression around the shoot apex was drastically decreased after the phase transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. It was absent in the floral meristem, but it was still present in the lateral meristem that remained in the vegetative phase. These observations suggest that OsGA2ox1 controls the level of bioactive GAs in the shoot apical meristem; therefore, reduction in its expression may contribute to the early development of the inflorescence meristem.     

Where do gibberellin biosynthesis and gibberellin signaling occur in rice plants?

To identify where gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis and signaling occur, we analyzed the expression of four genes involved in GA biosynthesis, GA 20-oxidase1 and GA 20-oxidase2 (OsGA20ox1 and OsGA20ox2), and GA 3-oxidase1 and GA 3-oxidase2 (OsGA3ox1 and OsGA3ox2), and two genes involved in GA signaling, namely, the gene encoding the alpha-subunit of the heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein (Galpha), and SLENDER RICE1 (SLR1), which encodes a repressor of GA signaling. At the vegetative stage, the expression of OsGA20ox2, OsGA3ox2, Galpha, and SLR1 was observed in rapidly elongating or dividing organs and tissues, whereas the expression of OsGA20ox1 or OsGA3ox1 could not be detected. At the inflorescence or floral stage, the expression of OsGA20ox2, OsGA3ox2, Galpha, and SLR1 was also observed in the shoot meristems and stamen primordia. The overlapping expression of genes for GA biosynthesis and signaling indicates that in these tissues and organs, active GA biosynthesis occurs at the same site as does GA signaling. In contrast, no GA-biosynthesis genes were expressed in the aleurone cells of the endosperm; however, the two GA-signaling genes were actively expressed, indicating that the aleurone does not produce bioactive GAs, but can perceive GAs. The expression of OsGA20ox1 and OsGA3ox1 was observed only in the epithelium of the embryo and the tapetum of the anther. Based on the specific expression pattern of OsGA20ox1 and OsGA3ox1 in these tissues, we discuss the unique nature of the epithelium and the tapetum in terms of GA biosynthesis. The epithelium and the tapetum are considered to be an important source of bioactive GAs for aleurone and other organs of the flower, respectively.