Phototransduction genes are up-regulated in a global gene expression study of Drosophila melanogaster selected for heat resistance

The genetic architecture underlying heat resistance remains partly unclear despite the well-documented involvement of heat shock proteins (Hsps). It was previously shown that factors besides Hsps are likely to play an important role for heat resistance. In this study, gene expression arrays were used to make replicate measurements of gene expression before and up to 64 hours after a mild heat stress treatment, in flies selected for heat resistance and unselected control flies, to identify genes differentially expressed in heat resistance-selected flies. We found 108 genes up-regulated and 10 down-regulated using the Affymetrix gene expression platform. Among the up-regulated genes, a substantial number are involved in the phototransduction process. Another group of genes up-regulated in selected flies is characterized by also responding to heat shock treatment several hours after peak induction of known Hsps revert to nonstress levels. These findings suggest phototransduction genes to be critically involved in heat resistance, and support a role for components of the phototransduction process in stress-sensing mechanisms. In addition, the results suggest yet-uncharacterized genes responding to heat stress several hours after treatment to be involved in heat stress resistance. These findings mark an important increase in the understanding of heat resistance.     

Ethanol-response genes and their regulation analyzed by a microarray and comparative genomic approach in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

The nematode shows responses to acute ethanol exposure that are similar to those observed in humans, mice, and Drosophila, namely hyperactivity followed by uncoordination and sedation. We used in this report the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to identify and characterize the genes that are affected by ethanol exposure and to link those genes functionally into an ethanol-induced gene network. By analyzing the expression profiles of all C. elegans ORFs using microarrays, we identified 230 genes affected by ethanol. While the ethanol response of some of the identified genes was significant at early time points, that of the majority was at late time points, indicating that the genes in the latter case might represent the physiological consequence of the ethanol exposure. We further characterized the early response genes that may represent those involved directly in the ethanol response. These genes included many heat shock protein genes, indicating that high concentration of ethanol acts as a strong stress to the animal. Interestingly, we identified two non-heat-shock protein genes that were specifically responsive to ethanol. glr-2 was the only glutamate receptor gene to be induced by ethanol. T28C12.4, which encodes a protein with limited homology to human neuroligin, was also specific to ethanol stress. Finally, by analyzing the promoter regions of the early response genes, we identified a regulatory element, TCTGCGTCTCT, that was necessary for the expression of subsets of ethanol response genes.     

The identification of candidate radio marker genes using a coexpression network analysis in gamma‐irradiated rice

Plant physiological and biochemical processes are significantly affected by gamma irradiation stress. In addition, gamma‐ray (GA) differentially affects gene expression across the whole genome. In this study, we identified radio marker genes (RMGs) responding only to GA stress compared with six abiotic stresses (chilling, cold, anoxia, heat, drought and salt) in rice. To analyze the expression patterns of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in gamma‐irradiated rice plants against six abiotic stresses, we conducted a hierarchical clustering analysis by using a complete linkage algorithm. The up‐ and downregulated DEGs were observed against six abiotic stresses in three and four clusters among a total of 31 clusters, respectively. The common gene ontology functions of upregulated DEGs in clusters 9 and 19 are associated with oxidative stress. In a Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis, GA stress showed highly negative correlation with salt stress. On the basis of specific data about the upregulated DEGs, we identified the 40 candidate RMGs that are induced by gamma irradiation. These candidate RMGs, except two genes, were more highly induced in rice roots than in other tissues. In addition, we obtained other 38 root‐induced genes by using a coexpression network analysis of the specific upregulated candidate RMGs in an ARACNE algorithm. Among these genes, we selected 16 RMGs and 11 genes coexpressed with three RMGs to validate coexpression network results. RT‐PCR assay confirmed that these genes were highly upregulated in GA treatment. All 76 genes (38 root‐induced genes and 38 candidate RMGs) might be useful for the detection of GA sensitivity in rice roots.     

一个水稻多逆境响应基因OsMsr3克隆与表达分析

为深入探讨水稻对逆境的反应机理并寻找新的植物耐逆基因,采用Affymetrix水稻表达芯片(含51279个转录本)分析了培矮64S全基因组在不同逆境(高温、干旱、低温)胁迫下、不同生育时期叶片和穗中的表达谱,从中筛选出一个受多种逆境诱导表达的基因OsMsr3(Oryza sativa L.multiple stresses responsive gene3,GenBank登陆号为 FJ383169).定量实时PCR分析结果进一步证实了此基因在逆境条件下的诱导表达模式.用 RT-PCR方法扩增获得了包含其完整开放阅读框的cDNA克隆,序列分析表明,其ORF大小为480 bp,编码一个具有160个氨基酸残基的低分子量热激蛋白,推测分子量约为18.0 kD;pI约为6.8.对其编码的蛋白质进行分析,发现其羧基端存在一个HSP20的蛋白保守结构域,与其他植物中的低分子量热激蛋白的相似性介于33.7%～97.5%.对其可能的启动子序列分析,发现6类与逆境反应有关的顺式作用元件.推测该基因在逆境反应中起着重要的作用,进一步的研究正在进行中.     

A step towards understanding plant responses to multiple environmental stresses: a genome‐wide study

In natural habitats, especially in arid areas, plants are often simultaneously exposed to multiple abiotic stresses, such as salt, osmotic and heat stresses. However, most analyses of gene expression in stress responses examine individual stresses. In this report, we compare gene expression in individual and combined stresses. We show that combined stress treatments with salt, mannitol and heat induce a unique pattern of gene expression that is not a simple merge of the individual stress responses. Under multiple stress conditions, expression of most heat and salt stress‐responsive genes increased to levels similar to or higher than those measured in single stress conditions, but osmotic stress‐responsive genes increased to lower levels. Genes up‐regulated to higher levels under multiple stress condition than single stress conditions include genes for heat shock proteins, heat shock regulators and late embryogenesis abundant proteins (LEAs), which protect other proteins from damage caused by stresses, suggesting their importance in multiple stress condition. Based on this analysis, we identify candidate genes for engineering crop plants tolerant to multiple stresses.     

水稻逆境响应基因OsMsr15的表达分析与克隆

应用Affymetrix水稻表达芯片,分析了苗期和孕穗期的培矮64S水稻基因在高温、干旱和低温逆境处理条件下的表达模式,发现多个与逆境反应相关基因.其中,OsMsr15(Oryza sativa L.multiple stresses responsivegene 15)受高温、干旱和低温胁迫诱导,表达水平均显著上调.实时定量PCR分析结果与芯片数据基本吻合.序列分析表明,该基因无内含子,ORF(open reading frame)全长为717 bp,编码一个由238个氨基酸残基组成、具有典型C2H2结构域的锌指蛋白,推测相对分子质量约为2.46 kD,pI值约为8.90,蛋白分子的氨基端和羧基端分别存在一个推测的核定位信号B-box和EAR(ERF-associated amphiphilic repression)基序.对OsMsr15可能的启动子区域进行分析,发现多种与逆境诱导相关的调控元件.该基因编码的蛋白在不同物种中存在高度相似性,显示OsMsr15基因可能作为一个保守的耐逆基因,参与植物的多种耐逆反应过程.     

SRWD: a novel WD40 protein subfamily regulated by salt stress in rice (OryzasativaL.)

By analysis with microarray data, we found that a gene encoding a novel protein containing five WD40 repeats, was regulated by salt stress in rice and named as SRWD1 (Salt responsive WD40 protein 1). By database searching, additional four SRWD1-like genes (SRWD2-SRWD5) were found in rice genome, and these five SRWD genes formed a novel WD40 subfamily. Phylogenetic analysis showed that plant SRWD proteins divided into four groups. The significant functional divergences during SRWD evolution were found. The tissue-specific and salt responsive expression profiling for SRWD genes was investigated based on microarray data. It was found that all five SRWD genes in rice were regulated by salt stress. Further, we found that SRWD1 was regulated with different patterns by salt stress in two rice cultivars responding differently to salt stress. Our study correlates WD40 proteins with salt stress in plants and provides fundamental information for the further investigation of plant SRWD proteins.