油棕DGAT2基因启动子克隆及表达的组织特异性研究

以油棕(Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)叶片基因组DNA为模板,克隆获得长度为1035 bp的二酰甘油酰基转移酶基因(DGAT2)的启动子区序列。序列分析结果表明,DGAT2基因启动子含有大量光反应元件、激素响应元件及部分转录因子结合位点。本研究同时构建了DGAT2基因启动子和GUS基因植物融合表达载体,通过蘸花法侵染拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana L.),并对转基因拟南芥中GUS基因表达的特异性进行了分析。结果显示,GUS基因在拟南芥各组织中均有表达,但没有明显的组织特异性;荧光定量PCR分析结果表明DGAT2在油棕不同器官中的转录水平存在明显差异。     

巴西橡胶树HbWRKY1基因的克隆及转化烟草的初步研究

利用RACE结合RT-PCR技术,从巴西橡胶树(Hevea brasiliensis)总RNA中扩增得到长度为1234 bp的WRKY基因cDNA全长编码序列。通过氨基酸同源性比对,该序列推导的氨基酸序列与蓖麻、白杨的WRKY同源性分别为79%和73%,表明分离的cDNA序列为橡胶树WRKY基因,命名为HbWRKY1。通过构建pCAMBIA1304-HbWRKY1植物表达载体,经农杆菌GV3101介导,将HbWRKY1基因导入烟草(Nicotiana tabacum)中,对所获得的潮霉素抗性烟草株系进行PCR鉴定。结果表明,HbWRKY1基因已整合到65株转基因植株中。干旱胁迫试验表明,HbWRKY1的过量表达可以明显提高转基因烟草对干旱胁迫的耐受能力。这说明WRKY基因与橡胶树抗旱能力之间存在一定的关系。     

烟草二脂酰甘油酰基转移酶基因(NtDGAT2)的克隆与功能分析

二脂酰甘油酰基转移酶(diacylglycerol acyltransferase,DGAT2)是植物储存油脂生物合成过程中的关键酶,对种子储存油脂累积具有重要的生理作用。本文采用电子克隆与实验相结合的方法,从烟草种子cDNA中克隆到DGAT2基因的开放阅读框序列,命名为NtDGAT2(GenBank登录号JX843807),其序列长999bp,编码332个氨基酸。多序列比对和进化分析表明该基因编码蛋白与其他植物DGAT2具有较高相似性和典型的DGAT2结构域。利用Real-time PCR定量表达分析显示Nt-DGAT2在烟草种子、花、茎、叶和根里面都有表达,且在发育中的种子和花的发育过程大量表达。酵母互补实验证实该基因编码蛋白具有DGAT酶活性。     

油葵种子特异启动子Ha ds10 G1的克隆及功能鉴定

从油葵中克隆得到LEA蛋白基因家族Ha ds10 G1基因的启动子序列,并对其进行功能分析。利用PCR技术从油葵品种"矮大头"基因组DNA中分离Ha ds10 G1基因上游的调控序列,将其与GUS基因融合,构建种子特异性表达载体p BI121-PHa ds10,通过根癌农杆菌介导法转化烟草(Nicotiana tabacum)NC89,对再生植株进行PCR、RT-PCR和GUS组织化学分析,以检测GUS基因在转基因烟草中的表达情况。结果表明,油葵Ha ds10 G1基因启动子长度为1 417 bp,与已报道的向日葵Ha ds10G1基因启动子序列同源性为89.42%。作用元件分析发现该区域除了具有启动子核心调控序列外,还含有多个与组织特异性、激素、逆境等表达相关的顺式作用元件,如RY重复元件、ABRE元件、TC-rich元件等。转基因植株的PCR结果显示,成功地获得了转基因阳性植株;GUS活性检测表明,该启动子序列仅能够驱动GUS基因在烟草种子表达,而在根、茎、叶等组织中均未检测到GUS基因表达。因此,油葵LEA蛋白基因家族Ha ds10 G1基因上游1 417 bp片段具有种子特异性启动子功能。研究结果为油葵等油料作物的油脂遗传改良提供组织特异性启动子。     

水稻EPSP合酶第一内含子增强外源基因的表达

分离并克隆了水稻5-烯醇丙酮莽草酸-3-磷酸合酶基因的第一内含子(EPI). 序列分析表明, EPI长704 bp, GC含量为36.2%. 为进一步研究EPI序列在转基因植物中对外源基因表达水平的影响, 将EPI序列插入CaMV35S启动子和报导基因β-葡糖醛酸酶(β-glucuronidase, GUS)基因(gus)之间. 采用基因枪法转化烟草叶片, gus基因瞬时表达表明, EPI序列的存在可以使GUS的表达水平提高. 利用农杆菌法转化烟草, 获得了gus基因稳定表达的植株. GUS活性检测表明EPI内含子的存在可以显著提高GUS基因的表达(P<0.01). Northern blot 分析表明, 在转录水平上gus基因在含EPI内含子的转基因植株中的表达高于不含EPI gus基因的表达, 并且成熟的gus mRNA中EPI被正确剪取掉了, 表明是一种非转译的内含子. GUS定量检测表明, EPI存在可以使GUS的平均表达水平提高3倍, 最高单株可提高6倍.     

花生二酰基甘油酰基转移酶基因克隆与功能研究

利用RT-PCR方法,从花生品种‘鲁花14’未成熟种子中克隆了二酰基甘油酰基转移酶(Diacylglycerolacyltransferase,DGAT)基因AhDGAT3A和AhDGAT3B的cDNA,序列分析显示,两者在编码区核苷酸序列有96%相似性,氨基酸序列有94%相似,并对其中的AhDGAT3A进一步研究。(1)半定量RT-PCR分析显示,AhDGAT3A在花生根、茎、叶、花和种子中均有表达,且花中表达量最高,茎中表达量非常低;在花生果针入土60d时种子中的表达量较其它发育时期有所提高。(2)利用染色体步移技术克隆了AhDGAT3A5′上游1 588bp调控区,在线软件分析发现该调控区除包括启动子核心元件外,还包含多个调控花粉中表达的顺式元件、光信号调控元件和胁迫相关元件等。(3)在烟草中过量表达AhDGAT3A基因,转基因烟草种子粗脂肪和主要脂肪酸含量较对照均有所下降,推测这一结果可能由转基因共抑制作用导致。     

拟南芥生长素受体基因TIR1启动子的克隆及序列分析

以野生型拟南芥 (Arabidopsis Columbia)基因组DNA为模板,通过PCR扩增得到拟南芥生长素受体基因TIR1启动子2008片段,将该片断克隆到PGM-T载体上.序列分析表明,该启动子大小为2008bp,RNA聚合酶识别序列TATA-box,TIR1特异表达和增强序列CAAT-box皆完整,与已报道的序列比较仅有3个核苷酸发生改变,同源性为99.85%.将该启动子与GUS基因融合,构建成表达载体后,在拟南芥和烟草叶片中做瞬时表达,结果分析显示:拟南芥和烟草叶片中均有GUS 酶活性存在.     

杜仲胶合成相关基因EuREF 1的克隆及分析

根据本实验室已建立的杜仲转录组数据库提供的序列信息设计引物,以杜仲含胶组织叶和皮为材料提取总m RNA,采用RACE技术克隆了5'端700 bp和3'端600 bp c DNA片段,连接至p GEM-T载体,经测序拼接后获得全长1 075 bp的杜仲橡胶延长因子基因(Eucommia ulmoides rubber elongation factor 1,Eu REF 1)c DNA序列,其中开放阅读框678 bp,共编码225个氨基酸残基。在NCBI中blastp比对,Eu REF 1与葡萄、蓖麻REF序列同源性分别为42%和41%;预测的蛋白质Eu REF 1氨基酸序列经blastp比对,显示该预测蛋白质序列属于REF超家族。本研究首次克隆杜仲的橡胶延长因子基因c DNA序列,构建了表达载体p SH-35S-Eu REF 1,通过农杆菌介导法对烟草长脖黄进行遗传转化,经PCR检测和GUS组织染色,获得转基因烟草43株,移栽生长四个月的转基因烟草在表型上与野生型在叶片长宽比上有明显差异。     

番茄多蛋白桥梁因子基因LeMBF1的克隆及抗病性分析

采用同源序列克隆法,从番茄中克隆了多蛋白桥梁因子基因LeMBF1,该基因包含一个完整的420 bp的开放阅读框,编码139个氨基酸,具有MBF1保守结构域.LeMBF1氨基酸序列与马铃薯StMBF1、烟草NtMBF1和葡萄VvMBF1的氨基酸序列相似度分别是99.3%、91.4%和84.2%.为了研究番茄多蛋白桥梁因子LeMBF1在植物抗病性中的作用,以LeMBF1超表达转基因番茄和野生型番茄为材料,对其进行接种病原细菌Pst.DC3000和尖孢镰刀菌Fusarium.oxysporum的生物胁迫实验.抗菌表型分析发现,LeMBF1超表达转基因番茄叶片上的菌斑数明显少于对照植株;实时定量PCR分析表明,LeMBF1超表达番茄植株中防卫基因PR1、PR6的表达水平明显增强.由此可见,LeMBF1可能通过激活部分PRs基因的表达提高了植物的抗病性.     

小黑杨PsnHB22基因在烟草中的遗传转化研究

HD-Zip转录因子在光信号转导、非生物胁迫、叶片发育等方面发挥重要的作用，HB22转录因子是HD-ZipⅠ亚家族的成员之一。为研究PsnHB22基因的功能，从小黑杨（Populus simonii×P.nigra）cDNA中克隆PsnHB22基因并构建植物表达载体进行烟草（Nicotiana tabacum）的遗传转化，以获得该基因过量表达的转基因株系。对转基因株系进行PCR、qRT-PCR分子检测后观察表型，结果显示在营养生长时期，转基因烟草叶片窄小并且株高显著低于野生型对照。测定转基因烟草及野生型叶片的叶绿素含量，发现转基因烟草叶绿素含量显著高于野生型。由此推测PsnHB22基因在植株高生长、光合作用及叶片的形态建成等过程中起着重要的作用。     

Cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding type 1 diacylglycerol acyltransferase from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

A full-length cDNA encoding a putative diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT; EC 2.3.1.20) was obtained from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds. The 1524-bp open reading frame of this cDNA, designated as HaDGAT1, encodes a protein of 507 amino acids with a molecular mass of 58.5 kDa showing high homology to DGAT1 enzymes of other plants. The protein characters, such as a predicted structure with a long N-terminal hydrophilic domain followed by 9 transmembrane domains, acyl-CoA-binding signature, diacylglycerol (DAG)-binding and putative endoplasmic reticulum retrieval motifs (ER-DIR), also indicated that HaDGAT belongs to the DGAT1 family. HaDGAT1 is expressed in all plant tissues especially in developing seeds. Expression of recombinant HaDGAT1 in yeast showed an 1.76-fold increase of total fatty acids, especially unsaturated fatty acids such as palmitoleic acid (enhanced by 86.6%) and oleic acid (enhanced by 81.6%).     

Cloning and characterization of an acyl-CoA-dependent diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene from Tropaeolum majus, and a study of the functional motifs of the DGAT protein using site-directed mutagenesis to modify enzyme activity and oil content

SUMMARY: A full-length cDNA encoding a putative diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1, EC 2.3.1.20) was obtained from Tropaeolum majus (garden nasturtium). The 1557-bp open reading frame of this cDNA, designated TmDGAT1, encodes a protein of 518 amino acids showing high homology to other plant DGAT1s. The TmDGAT1 gene was expressed exclusively in developing seeds. Expression of recombinant TmDGAT1 in the yeast H1246MATalpha quadruple mutant (DGA1, LRO1, ARE1, ARE2) restored the capability of the mutant host to produce triacylglycerols (TAGs). The recombinant TmDGAT1 protein was capable of utilizing a range of (14)C-labelled fatty acyl-CoA donors and diacylglycerol acceptors, and could synthesize (14)C-trierucin. Collectively, these findings confirm that the TmDGAT1 gene encodes an acyl-CoA-dependent DGAT1. In plant transformation studies, seed-specific expression of TmDGAT1 was able to complement the low TAG/unusual fatty acid phenotype of the Arabidopsis AS11 (DGAT1) mutant. Over-expression of TmDGAT1 in wild-type Arabidopsis and high-erucic-acid rapeseed (HEAR) and canola Brassica napus resulted in an increase in oil content (3.5%-10% on a dry weight basis, or a net increase of 11%-30%). Site-directed mutagenesis was conducted on six putative functional regions/motifs of the TmDGAT1 enzyme. Mutagenesis of a serine residue in a putative SnRK1 target site resulted in a 38%-80% increase in DGAT1 activity, and over-expression of the mutated TmDGAT1 in Arabidopsis resulted in a 20%-50% increase in oil content on a per seed basis. Thus, alteration of this putative serine/threonine protein kinase site can be exploited to enhance DGAT1 activity, and expression of mutated DGAT1 can be used to enhance oil content.     

Cloning and characterization of a novel diacylglycerol acyltransferase from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

In this study, a cDNA encoding a novel acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT)-like protein is identified and isolated from the diatom microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PtDGAT3). Analysis of the sequence reveals that ptDGAT3 cDNA encodes a protein of 504 amino acids with a molecular mass of 64.5 KDa. The putative ptDGAT3 protein has two catalytic domains: a wax ester synthase-like acyl-CoA acyltransferase domain and a bacteria-specific acyltransferase domain, which shows higher similarity to the DGAT3 of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus than reported DGAT1 or DGAT2 from high plants or algae. Its activity was confirmed by heterologous expression of PtDGAT3 in a neutral lipid-deficient quadruple mutant yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae H1246. The recombinant yeast restored the formation of a lipid body and displayed a preference to the incorporation of unsaturated C₁₈ fatty acids into triacyglycerol (TAG). This is the first characterized algal DGAT3 gene, giving further evidence to the occurrence of a DGAT3-mediated TAG biosynthesis pathway.     

The TAG1 locus of Arabidopsis encodes for a diacylglycerol acyltransferase

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT, EC 2.3.1.20) is a membrane enzyme that drives the final step in the formation of oils using diacylglycerol (DAG) and acyl-CoA to yield triacylglycerol (TAG). We identified a putative plant DGAT gene (TRIACYLGLYCEROL1: TAG1) and demonstrated its function by the cloning of two mutated alleles, designated AS11 (tag1-1) and ABX45 (tag1-2). One allele, AS11, has been previously characterised at the biochemical level. Mutant seeds contained less oil with a modified fatty acid profile and have reduced germination rates compared to wild-type controls. The TAG1 cDNA encodes for a 520-aa protein that possesses multiple putative transmembrane domains and shows 70 % similarity to a human DGAT cDNA.     

Short-term overexpression of DGAT1 or DGAT2 increases hepatic triglyceride but not VLDL triglyceride or apoB production

Increased triglyceride synthesis resulting from enhanced flux of fatty acids into liver is frequently associated with VLDL overproduction. This has led to the common belief that hepatic triglyceride synthesis can directly modulate VLDL production. We used adenoviral vectors containing either murine acyl-coenzyme A:diacylglycerol transferase 1 (DGAT1) or DGAT2 cDNA to determine the effect of a short-term increase in hepatic triglyceride synthesis on VLDL triglyceride and apolipoprotein B (apoB) production in female wild-type mice. Hepatic DGAT1 and DGAT2 overexpression resulted in 2.0-fold and 2.4-fold increases in the triglyceride content of liver, respectively. However, the increase in hepatic triglyceride content had no effect on the production rate of VLDL triglyceride or apoB in either case. Liver subfractionation showed that DGAT1 and DGAT2 overexpression significantly increased the content of triglyceride within the cytoplasmic lipid fraction, with no change in the triglyceride content of the microsomal membrane or microsomal VLDL. The increased cytoplasmic triglyceride content was observed in electron micrographs of liver sections from mice overexpressing DGAT1 or DGAT2. Overexpression of DGAT1 or DGAT2 resulted in enhanced [(3)H]glycerol tracer incorporation into triglyceride within cytoplasmic lipids. These results suggest that increasing the cytoplasmic triglyceride pool in hepatocytes does not directly influence VLDL triglyceride or apoB production. In the presence of adequate cytoplasmic lipid stores, factors other than triglyceride synthesis are rate-limiting for VLDL production.     

Cloning and characterization of DGAT1 gene of Riverine buffalo.

The present study was carried out to characterize the DGAT1 gene of Riverine buffalo. Total RNA was extracted from the mammary tissue of buffalo and DGAT1cDNA were synthesized by RT-PCR, then cloned using pDRIVE cloning vector and sequenced. The sequencing revealed that the size of DGAT1 gene was 1470 bp with GC content of 62.30%. The gene encoded for 489 amino acid precursors and that it possessed 32 amino acids signal peptide. The similarity of buffalo DGAT1 mRNA sequence with that of cattle, pig, monkey, human, mice and rat were determined as 98.4, 90.7, 85.4, 85.0, 77.4 and 77.1%, respectively. Phylogenetic tree constructed from the derived DGAT1 protein sequences of 15 different species illustrated a unique branches for mammals, fly, nematode and plants. Among mammals, cattle and buffalo grouped together, whereas swine formed another group in the same branch. Four motifs were predicted in buffalo DGAT1 peptide sequence, one N-linked glycosylation site (246th position), two putative tyrosine phosphorylation site (316 and 261), one putative diacylglycerol binding site (382-392 amino acid position) and a conserved domain MBOAT (membrane bound acyl transferase from 150 to 474 amino acids) with a histidine as an active residue.     

Assessment of the gene content of the chromosomal regions flanking bovine DGAT1

As a first step towards verifying the candidate status of DGAT1 as the causal gene for milk fat percentage in cattle, we constructed a bovine BAC contig spanning 576 kb of the chromosomal region containing DGAT1. High content of NotI sites (21 within the contig) indicated that the region is gene-rich. Twenty-three genes neighboring DGAT1 were mapped, including two bovine cDNA sequences that have no orthologous sequences within the NCBI sequence databases. On average, 2015 bp for each of the 23 neighboring genes were sequenced and entered into EMBL. Likewise, 10 new STS markers were established by BAC-end sequencing. Within the genes and STS markers, 55 polymorphisms were discovered. These will form the basis of future linkage disequilibrium studies to test whether any genes neighboring DGAT1 are associated with variation in milk fat percentage, thereby testing the candidate status of DGAT1.     

Cytosolic triacylglycerol biosynthetic pathway in oilseeds. Molecular cloning and expression of peanut cytosolic diacylglycerol acyltransferase

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the most important storage form of energy for eukaryotic cells. TAG biosynthetic activity was identified in the cytosolic fraction of developing peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cotyledons. This activity was NaF insensitive and acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) dependent. Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) catalyzes the final step in TAG biosynthesis that acylates diacylglycerol to TAG. Soluble DGAT was identified from immature peanuts and purified by conventional column chromatographic procedures. The enzyme has a molecular mass of 41 +/- 1.0 kD. Based on the partial peptide sequence, a degenerate probe was used to obtain the full-length cDNA. The isolated gene shared less than 10% identity with the previously identified DGAT1 and 2 families, but has 13% identity with the bacterial bifunctional wax ester/DGAT. To differentiate the unrelated families, we designate the peanut gene as AhDGAT. Expression of peanut cDNA in Escherichia coli resulted in the formation of labeled TAG and wax ester from [14C]acetate. The recombinant E. coli showed high levels of DGAT activity but no wax ester synthase activity. TAGs were localized in transformed cells with Nile blue A and oil red O staining. The recombinant and native DGAT was specific for 1,2-diacylglycerol and did not utilize hexadecanol, glycerol-3-phosphate, monoacylglycerol, lysophosphatidic acid, and lysophosphatidylcholine. Oleoyl-CoA was the preferred acyl donor as compared to palmitoyl- and stearoyl-CoAs. These data suggest that the cytosol is one of the sites for TAG biosynthesis in oilseeds. The identified pathway may present opportunities of bioengineering oil-yielding plants for increased oil production.