应用SELEX技术检测水稻RFL转录因子的DNA结合位点

FLORICAULA/LEAFY是植物特有的转录因子,其可以通过调控下游基因的表达对植物的发育起到调控作用。水稻(Oryza sativa)中的同源基因RFL(Rice FLORICAULA/LEAFY)能够调控多个发育过程,包括开花、叶间期以及枝梗和颖花分化。指数富集配体的系统进化(SELEX)技术已经被广泛应用于体外筛选转录因子的DNA结合位点。应用SELEX技术检测水稻RFL的DNA结合序列,经过7次PCR循环富集过程获得结合特异序列,通过测序和MEME分析,鉴定到RFL的DNA结合序列为(C/A)(C/T)NN(T/C/A)G(G/T)。实验结果为进一步阐明RFL分子功能奠定了基础。     

热带爪蟾bHLH转录因子鉴定与进化分析

爪蟾是重要的生物医学模式动物。文章根据NCBI公布的热带爪蟾(Xenopus tropicalis)基因组数据,利用生物信息学方法提取和鉴定了爪蟾全基因组范围的碱性螺旋-环-螺旋(bHLH)基因信息,应用系统发生方法进行分类并做基因本体论(Gene Ontology,GO)功能富集分布分析,以期从整体上探讨爪蟾bHLH转录因子基因家族的分类及功能。结果表明,在热带爪蟾基因组数据库中发现了70个bHLH转录因子,其中69个可以分别归到6大组(A~F)的34个亚家族中,另一个为"孤儿因子"(Orphan)基因。GO富集分布统计发现有51个显著富集分布的GO注释语句,其中转录调控活性、转录调控、DNA结合、RNA代谢过程调控、DNA依赖的转录调控、转录和转录因子活性等出现频率很高,表明这些GO术语是爪蟾bHLH基因最常见的功能;许多bHLH转录因子在一些重要的发育或生理过程中发挥调控作用,如肌肉组织和器官(横纹肌、骨骼肌、眼部和咽部肌肉)的分化和发育、消化系统发育、咽部和感觉器官的发育、碱基和核苷及核酸的代谢调控、生物合成过程调控、DNA结合和蛋白质异聚化活性等。另外,还有一些重要信号通路(Signaling pathway)的GO术语显著地富集。文章还对Hes转录因子家族做了进化分析。这些结果为热带爪蟾bHLH基因的进一步研究打下了很好的基础。     

日本晚樱PrseSHP基因的克隆与功能分析

采用同源克隆方法结合RACE技术,从日本晚樱(Prunus lannesiana)品种‘大岛樱’中克隆到花发育调控相关的PrseSHP基因(GenBank登录号为GU362645)。PrseSHP基因序列全长1 223bp,包含1个长741bp的完整开放阅读框,编码246个氨基酸和1个终止密码子。分子系统发生分析表明,PrseSHP属MADS-box转录因子的PLE/SHP进化系,并与蔷薇科植物的SHP同源蛋白聚于同一进化分支;蛋白序列比对显示,该转录因子拥有M、I、K和C共4个结构域,且其C末端结构域中包含高度保守的AGⅠ和Ⅱ基序。基因表达分析表明,PrseSHP基因主要在‘大岛樱’的花瓣、雄蕊、雌蕊和幼果等器官中表达,在花萼中仅能检测到微弱的转录信号,在幼叶中不表达,与其他植物SHP同源基因的表达模式有一定的差别。功能分析显示,转PrseSHP基因拟南芥植株明显比野生型拟南芥弱小,转基因拟南芥在6~8片莲座叶后即抽薹开花,时间较野生型拟南芥(14~17片莲座叶后抽薹开花)明显提前,证明异位表达的PrseSHP基因能促进拟南芥早花,其在花发育过程中可能参与调控植物开花。     

基因本体论的蟾蜍bHLH转录因子功能富集分布

基因本体论是国际上标准的基因和蛋白质功能知识词汇.利用基因本体论的功能富集分布比较和分析了两种蟾蜍bHLH基因分子功能分布特点.结果发现,两种蟾蜍的bHLH基因均有显著富集分布的GO注释语句,其中转录调控活性( GO:0030528)、转录调控(GO:0045449)、DNA结合(GO:0003677)、RNA代谢过程调控(G0:0051252)、DNA依赖的转录调控(GO:0006355)、转录(G0:0006350)和转录因子活性(GO:0003700)等频率很高,表明这些GO注释是蟾蜍bHLH基因常见的功能;此外,蟾蜍bHLH基因在肌肉器官发育、神经管和眼发育等一些重要的发育或生理过程的基因表达调控中发挥着重要的作用.     

生长素响应因子与植物的生长发育

生长素响应因子(Auxin response factor, ARF)作为一类调控生长素响应基因表达的转录因子, 是生长素研究的重要内容。它可与生长素响应基因启动子区域内的生长素响应元件结合, 促进或抑制基因的表达。文章介绍了植物体内ARF家族的分子生物学近年来的研究进展, 同时也讨论了ARF转录因子的结构、ARF基因的表达调控、ARF在植物生长发育及信号转导中的作用以及ARF对靶基因的调控机制等内容。植物ARF成员都有一定的同源性, 大多含有4个结构域, 在多种组织和器官中都有表达, 其表达受到转录及转录后调控, 并且在介导生长素与其它激素之间相互作用方面扮演重要角色。     

陆地棉XTH基因家族全基因组鉴定及在纤维发育过程的表达分析

本研究从陆地棉TM-1基因组中鉴定出72个XTH家族基因,编码木葡聚糖内转糖苷酶/水解酶(XTH,xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase),分别命名为Gh XTH01~Gh XTH72,分析了其基因结构、保守基序、系统进化、理化性质、亚细胞定位,并探究其在棉纤维发育不同时期的表达规律。结果表明,XTH家族基因分布在除At 07、Dt 07以外的24条棉花染色体上,根据系统发育树,将XTH家族基因分为3个亚组;XTH氨基酸序列有3个保守基序,保守性较强;多数XTH蛋白定位在细胞外。根据XTHs在纤维发育不同时期的表达量变化,将其分为4类。通过构建陆地棉与拟南芥XTH氨基酸序列进化树,推测Gh XTH15、Gh XTH28、Gh XTH36、Gh XTH49、Gh XTH59、Gh XTH62、Gh XTH63等基因在棉纤维发育过程中发挥重要作用。通过比较XTH家族基因在不同纤维品质陆地棉品种中的表达差异,推测在优质棉花品种中优势表达基因Gh XTH03、Gh XTH12、Gh XTH17、Gh XTH22、Gh XTH23、Gh XTH28、Gh XTH33、Gh XTH44、Gh XTH46、Gh XTH59等在纤维发育伸长过程中可能发挥着重要作用。上述结果为研究陆地棉XTH基因家族在棉纤维发育中的功能提供了参考依据。     

早期生长素响应蛋白在生长素信号转导中的作用

3种早期生长素响应蛋白--生长素/吲哚乙酸蛋白(Aux/IAAs)、生长素响应因子(ARFs)和泛素介导的蛋白降解途径组分在生长素的信号转导中起着关键性的作用.目前的研究结果支持负调控模型的说法,即Aux/IAAs蛋白以生长素依赖的方式通过泛素相关的蛋白降解机制为26S蛋白酶降解.当Aux/IAAs-Aux/IAAs以及Aux/IAAs-ARFs二聚体含量降低时,ARFs-ARFs水平升高,ARFs-ARFs结合在生长素调控基因启动子的生长素响应元件(AuxREs)上调节一系列基因的表达,进而引导植物的正常生长和发育.     

ABI4调控侧根发育研究(综述)

生长素是调控植物侧根发育的关键植物激素,生长素运输载体PIN蛋白介导其极性分布。ABI4抑制生长素极性运输蛋白基因PIN1的表达,影响生长素的极性运输,抑制侧根形成。本文概述ABI4转录因子调控侧根发育的研究进展。     

乙烯和1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸合酶基因参与玫瑰花发育过程中细胞程序化死亡的调控

作为植物有性繁殖器官--花的花瓣通常生命周期短,其中有一个敏感的、严格控制的细胞程序化死亡过程.为了揭示细胞程序化死亡过程中发生的反应或者其组成成分,解释玫瑰花发育过程中的细胞程序化死亡过程的机理,测定了在整个花发育过程中玫瑰花瓣的乙烯释放速率、ACC合酶基因的转录产物(mRNA)、ACC合酶活性以及ACC含量.结果显示在花发育过程前期(阶段1、2)检测不到乙烯产生,在花瓣完全绽开时花瓣中乙烯开始产生.在花发育后期(阶段4、5)花的衰老与乙烯释放速率的升高同时发生.在花发育前期没有ACC合酶基因的转录产物积累,该基因在花瓣完全绽开时开始表达,在花发育后期逐渐增强.ACC合酶活性与ACC含量的变化趋势与乙烯的一致.在玫瑰花发育后期乙烯诱导和调控花瓣的细胞程序化死亡.ACC合酶基因、ACC合酶以及ACC都是玫瑰花瓣程序化死亡过程中的重要调控因子.     

Expression studies on AUX1-like genes in Medicago truncatula suggest that auxin is required at two steps in early nodule development

Medicago truncatula contains a family of at least five genes related to AUX1 of Arabidopsis thaliana (termed MtLAX genes for Medicago truncatula-like AUX1 genes). The high sequence similarity between the encoded proteins and AUX1 implies that the MtLAX genes encode auxin import carriers. The MtLAX genes are expressed in roots and other organs, suggesting that they play pleiotropic roles related to auxin uptake. In primary roots, the MtLAX genes are expressed preferentially in the root tips, particularly in the provascular bundles and root caps. During lateral root and nodule development, the genes are expressed in the primordia, particularly in cells that were probably derived from the pericycle. At slightly later stages, the genes are expressed in the regions of the developing organs where the vasculature arises (central position for lateral roots and peripheral region for nodules). These results are consistent with MtLAX being involved in local auxin transport and suggest that auxin is required at two common stages of lateral root and nodule development: development of the primordia and differentiation of the vasculature.     

大花铁线莲单重被花的转录组差异分析

以即可开单被花又可开重被花的大花铁线莲重被品种"薇安"为研究对象,对"薇安"同一时期同一植株上的3种不同花瓣类型（单被、半重被、重被）采用高通量测序技术进行拼接及功能注释,筛选不同花被类型下表达量高度差异的关键基因后进行实时荧光定量PCR验证。结果显示：转录组测序共产生13.8GB原始数据,3个转录本文库两两比较共获得3 075条差异表达基因（DEG）,其中单被花与半重被样本对比（A vs B）包括649条上调DEG,605条下调DEG;半重被花与重被花对比（B vs C）包括上调DEG 1 046条和下调DEG 721条;单被花与重被花对比（A vs C）有上调DEG 1 129条和下调DEG 859条。3个不同花被下共存的差异表达基因有134条。根据基因功能注释从总DEG中筛选出26条可能与重瓣化性状相关的基因进行聚类分析,并随机挑选10个目的基因进行荧光定量PCR验证。PCR结果显示这些基因的表达量在铁线莲"薇安"同一时期同一植株的3种花被类型中均存在显著差异。最终筛选出与铁线莲重瓣化相关的关键基因有MADS-BOX类基因PMADS1、AP3、FRUITFULL、FLC;生长素反应蛋白IAA9、生长素输入载体、脱落酸8'羟化酶、吲哚乙酸诱导蛋白ARG7等。本研究为探究铁线莲重瓣花分子机制提供了基础数据和理论依据。     

Shoot bending promotes flower bud formation by miRNA‐mediated regulation in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Flower induction in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees plays an important life cycle role, but young trees produce fewer and inferior quality flower buds. Therefore, shoot bending has become an important cultural practice, significantly promoting the capacity to develop more flower buds during the growing seasons. Additionally, microRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in plant growth, flower induction and stress responses. In this study, we identified miRNAs potentially involved in the regulation of bud growth, and flower induction and development, as well as in the response to shoot bending. Of the 195 miRNAs identified, 137 were novel miRNAs. The miRNA expression profiles revealed that the expression levels of 68 and 27 known miRNAs were down‐regulated and up‐regulated, respectively, in response to shoot bending, and that the 31 differentially expressed novel miRNAs between them formed five major clusters. Additionally, a complex regulatory network associated with auxin, cytokinin, abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) plays important roles in cell division, bud growth and flower induction, in which related miRNAs and targets mediated regulation. Among them, miR396, 160, 393, and their targets associated with AUX, miR159, 319, 164, and their targets associated with ABA and GA, and flowering‐related miRNAs and genes, regulate bud growth and flower bud formation in response to shoot bending. Meanwhile, the flowering genes had significantly higher expression levels during shoot bending, suggesting that they are involved in this regulatory process. This study provides a framework for the future analysis of miRNAs associated with multiple hormones and their roles in the regulation of bud growth, and flower induction and formation in response to shoot bending in apple trees.     

油茶花芽分化形态结构及内源激素变化

以普通油茶(Camellia oleifera) 4个无性系为材料,结合油茶成花的动态观察和花芽分化过程的石蜡切片形态观察,采用酶联免疫吸附分析法测定花芽中玉米素核苷(ZR)、脱落酸(ABA)、生长素(IAA)、赤霉素(GA) 4种内源激素含量,探讨油茶花芽分化与内源激素的关系。油茶花芽分化过程可分为6个时期：前分化期(10 d)、萼片形成期(20 d)、花瓣形成期(30 d)、雌雄蕊形成期(20 d)、子房与花药形成期(10 d)和雌雄蕊成熟期(20 d),历时3～4个月。油茶不同无性系的花芽分化时间略有不同。油茶花芽中ZR含量相对较低(5.102～16.412 ng·g–1 FW),ABA含量相对较高(76.815～137.648 ng·g–1 FW)。其中,粤华5号和湘林8号的ZR、ABA含量变化趋势一致,岑软3号和岑软2号含量变化趋势一致。油茶花芽中IAA含量相对较高,为49.072～135.622 ng·g–1 FW,随着花芽分化进程,IAA含量均呈先升后降再升的变化趋势。GA含量相对较低,为5.616～13.720 ng·g–1 FW,随时间变化,呈现出不断降低的趋势。其中,不同无性系的IAA、GA含量变化趋势一致,而ZR、ABA含量变化趋势有所差异。ZR有利于花器官形成;高浓度IAA促进油茶花芽分化,低浓度IAA有利于开花;花芽中IAA与ABA存在明显的颉颃作用;GA抑制花芽分化。     

AUX/LAX Genes Encode a Family of Auxin Influx Transporters That Perform Distinct Functions during Arabidopsis Development

Auxin transport, which is mediated by specialized influx and efflux carriers, plays a major role in many aspects of plant growth and development. AUXIN1 (AUX1) has been demonstrated to encode a high-affinity auxin influx carrier. In Arabidopsis thaliana, AUX1 belongs to a small multigene family comprising four highly conserved genes (i.e., AUX1 and LIKE AUX1 [LAX] genes LAX1, LAX2, and LAX3). We report that all four members of this AUX/LAX family display auxin uptake functions. Despite the conservation of their biochemical function, AUX1, LAX1, and LAX3 have been described to regulate distinct auxin-dependent developmental processes. Here, we report that LAX2 regulates vascular patterning in cotyledons. We also describe how regulatory and coding sequences of AUX/LAX genes have undergone subfunctionalization based on their distinct patterns of spatial expression and the inability of LAX sequences to rescue aux1 mutant phenotypes, respectively. Despite their high sequence similarity at the protein level, transgenic studies reveal that LAX proteins are not correctly targeted in the AUX1 expression domain. Domain swapping studies suggest that the N-terminal half of AUX1 is essential for correct LAX localization. We conclude that Arabidopsis AUX/LAX genes encode a family of auxin influx transporters that perform distinct developmental functions and have evolved distinct regulatory mechanisms.     

Comprehensive transcriptome analysis of phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling genes in microspore/pollen and tapetum of rice

To investigate the involvement of phytohormones during rice microspore/pollen (MS/POL) development, endogenous levels of IAA, gibberellins (GAs), cytokinins (CKs) and abscisic acid (ABA) in the mature anther were analyzed. We also analyzed the global expression profiles of genes related to seven phytohormones, namely auxin, GAs, CKs, brassinosteroids, ethylene, ABA and jasmonic acids, in MS/POL and tapetum (TAP) using a 44K microarray combined with a laser microdissection technique (LM-array analysis). IAA and GA(4) accumulated in a much higher amount in the mature anther compared with the other tissues, while CKs and ABA did not. LM-array analysis revealed that sets of genes required for IAA and GA synthesis were coordinately expressed during the later stages of MS/POL development, suggesting that these genes are responsible for the massive accumulation of IAA and GA(4) in the mature anther. In contrast, genes for GA signaling were preferentially expressed during the early developmental stages of MS/POL and throughout TAP development, while their expression was down-regulated at the later stages of MS/POL development. In the case of auxin signaling genes, such mirror-imaged expression observed in GA synthesis and signaling genes was not observed. IAA receptor genes were mostly expressed during the late stages of MS/POL development, and various sets of AUX/IAA and ARF genes were expressed during the different stages of MS/POL or TAP development. Such cell type-specific expression profiles of phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling genes demonstrate the validity and importance of analyzing the expression of phytohormone-related genes in individual cell types independently of other cells/tissues.