Morphological and functional characterization of BcMF13 in the antisense-silenced plants of Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis var. parachinensis

The gene Brassica campestris male fertility 13 (BcMF13, GenBank accession number EF158459) was isolated as a reproductive organ-specific gene from Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino, syn. B. rapa ssp. chinensis). It is exclusively expressed in stage four and five flower buds of fertile lines and is most strongly expressed in stamens. Here, we report a functional characterization of this BcMF13 gene in the antisense-silenced plants. The inflorescence of the BcMF13 mutant was compacted with anthers curved outside. The fertility of this mutant was greatly reduced with less than 5 seeds per silique. Under scanning electron microscopy, the mutant demonstrated numerous shriveled pollen grains with deep invaginations. The frequency of normal pollen grains was just 45.34%. The pollen mother cell, the tetrad, and the mature pollen of the BcMF13 mutant were abnormal resulting in the poor pollen vitality. Germination test in vivo suggested BcMF13 delayed the pollen tubes’ extension in the style. All these indicated BcMF13 had a vital role in pollen development of Chinese cabbage.     

Hexose transporters of tomato: molecular cloning,expression analysis and functional characterization

A full-length (LeHT2) and two partial (LeHT1 and LeHT3) cDNA clones, encoding hexose transporters, were isolated from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruit and flower cDNA libraries. Southern blot analysis confirmed the presence of a gene family of hexose transporters in tomato consisting of at least three members. The full-length cDNA (LeHT2) encodes a protein of 523 amino acids, with a calculated molecular mass of 57.6 kDa. The predicted protein has 12 putative membrane-spanning domains and belongs to the Major Facilitator Superfamily of membrane carriers. The three clones encode polypeptides that are homologous to other plant monosaccharide transporters and contain conserved amino acid motifs characteristic of this superfamily. Expression of the three genes in different organs of tomato was investigated by quantitative PCR. LeHT1 and LeHT3 are expressed predominantly in sink tissues, with both genes showing highest expression in young fruit and root tips. LeHT2 is expressed at relatively high levels in source leaves and certain sink tissues such as flowers. LeHT2 was functionally expressed in a hexose transport-deficient mutant (RE700A) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. LeHT2-dependent transport of glucose in RE700A exhibited properties consistent with the operation of an energy-coupled transporter and probably a H⁺/hexose symporter. The K _m of the symporter for glucose is 45 M.     

Cloning of differential expression fragments in cauliflower after Xanthomonas campestris inoculation

A near isogenic line (NIL) of Brassica oleracea var. botrytis with resistant and susceptible lines C712 and C731, was used in this study. More than 100 differentially expressed cDNA fragments were obtained from black rot resistant cauliflower plants obtained using cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) after infection with the pathogen. Thirteen of these fragments were cloned and subjected to reverse Northern blot analysis using both infected and control cDNA pools. Two positive clones, M2 and M6, were isolated. Northern dot blot and Northern blot analyses showed that M2 was constitutively expressed, whereas M6 contained a gene that was differentially expressed during pathogen infection. Moreover, M6 cDNA fragment was also highly expressed 16–24 h after H₂O₂ treatment. Southern blots showed that M6 is a single copy gene in the cauliflower genome, and encodes a protein with 84 % homology to gene on Arabidopsis chromosome 1. The deduced M6 protein has 91 % positive homology with the Arabidopsis 2A6 protein, which regulates ethylene synthesis; 76 % homology with a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO), the last enzyme in ethylene synthesis; and 70 % homology with an ethylene induced DNA binding factor. These results suggest that M6 gene fragment is a new H₂O₂ downstream defense related gene fragment and can be induced by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris and H₂O₂.     

Biochemical analysis of a Chinese cabbage phytocystatin-1

The phytocystatins are inhibitors of papain-like cysteine proteinases that are implicated in defense mechanisms and the regulation of protein turnover. BCPI-1, a Brassica rapa (Chinese cabbage) phytocystatin isolated from flower buds, contains an extended C-terminal region that contains a single Cys residue at position 102. In an effort to investigate the role of the C-terminus and this Cys residue in BCPI-1 activity, purified recombinant proteins of BCPI-1, including wild-type BCPI-1 (wtBCPI-1), N-terminus BCPI-1 (BCPI-1??C), C-terminus BCPI-1 (BCPI-1??N), and BCPI-1 with a single Cys residue exchange to Ser (BCPI-1C102S), were generated and their inhibitory activities against papain were investigated. Kinetic analysis revealed that the monomeric forms of wtBCPI-1 (K _i = 6.84 ± 0.3 × 10^?8 M) inhibited papain more efficiently than the dimeric forms of wtBCPI-1 (K _i = 1.01 ± 0.5 × 10^?7 M). Experiments with recombinant BCPI-1C102S demonstrated that the dimerization of wtBCPI-1 caused by the formation of an intermolecular disulfide bond at the cysteine residue. The inhibitory activity of the recombinant proteins, except BCPI-1??N, was reduced in the pH range of 7.0?C11.5 and was highly stable over a wide range of temperatures. Thus, dimerization mediated by the cysteine residue in the extended C-terminal region and alkaline conditions reduced the inhibitory activity of BCPI-1.     

不结球白菜BcLRK01基因对芜菁花叶病毒及胁迫诱导的响应

通过cDNA-AFLP技术,从芜菁花叶病毒(TuMV)侵染的不结球白菜幼叶中分离到一条差异表达的基因片段,克隆获得其cDNA全长为2 124bp,编码707个氨基酸的富亮氨酸重复类受体激酶,命名为BcLRK01。利用实时定量PCR研究了该基因在TuMV侵染及高盐、冷胁迫、水杨酸(SA)、茉莉酸(JA)、乙烯(ET)等处理下的表达情况,结果显示,TuMV侵染、高盐、冷胁迫、SA、JA和ET等均能诱导BcLRK01不同程度的表达,说明该基因可能是不结球白菜病毒病的病程相关基因,同时也参与高盐和冷胁迫以及SA、JA、ET等的信号途径。     

金银花丙酮酸激酶基因的克隆与表达特性分析

采用RT-PCR和RACE技术,首次从金银花中克隆丙酮酸激酶基因全长cDNA,命名为LjPkc(GenBank登录号JQ621946.1),LjPkc基因编码区序列全长为1 533bp,共编码510个氨基酸。基于基因序列亲缘关系分析结果显示,LjPkc基因与烟草Pkc基因亲缘关系最近,属于双子叶植物Pkc基因家族。蛋白质亚细胞定位分析认为LjPkc在线粒体或叶绿体中发挥作用。LjPkc蛋白质的三维空间结构预测结果显示,LjPkc蛋白主要由α-螺旋、不规则盘绕组成。定量PCR检测发现,LjPkc基因在金银花不同组织中广泛表达,但表达水平各有差异,黄花中表达量最高。该研究丰富了Pkc基因库资源,为揭示LjPkc基因在金银花糖代谢方面的生物学作用奠定了基础。     

Expression profile of a PAL gene from Astragalus membranaceus var. Mongholicus and its crucial role in flux into flavonoid biosynthesis

An important traditional Chinese medicine herb, Astragalus membranaceus var. Mongholicus, whose dried root is known as Radix astragali (“Huangqi” in Chinese), has high flavonoid content as an essential active constituent. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) catalyzes the first and also a rate-limiting step in phenylpropanoid pathway, which supplies precursors for a variety of secondary metabolites including flavonoids. A PAL gene, designated AmPAL1 (GenBank accession no. AY986506), was isolated from A. membranaceus var. Mongholicus with a full-length cDNA of 2562 nucleotides and an open reading frame of 2154 bp. Northern blot analysis revealed that AmPAL1 expressed universally in different organs, and its expression was markedly induced by UV irradiation, mechanical wounding, and white light irradiation on etiolated seedlings, with some distinctive responsive properties. Content of a typical flavonoid, quercetin, in A. membranaceus var. Mongholicus of different ages correlated with PAL enzymatic activity. Transgenic tobacco plants harboring AmPAL1 under the control of the CaMV35S promoter showed significantly increased PAL activity and correlatively increased quercetin content than those in non-transformed plants. These results indicate that PAL is maybe a key point for flux into flavonoid biosynthesis in the genetic control of secondary metabolism in A. membranaceus var. Mongholicus.     

Functional analysis of a novel male fertility CYP86MF gene in Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis makino)

In our earlier work, a cytochrome P450 CYP86MF gene was isolated from floral bud of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino, syn. B. rapa L.) by mRNA differential display PCR (DD-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). To unravel the biological function of CYP86MF gene, the antisense fragment from the CYP86MF gene was transferred into Chinese cabbage pak-choi (B. campestris ssp. chinensis var. communis Tsen et Lee). Out of 22 plants transformed with the antisense gene constructed from the CYP86MF, 20 reached to flowering stage. Morphological investigations showed that the transgenic plants developed the normal floral organ. However, they remained self-infertile, even when artificial self-pollination was performed in the bud stage. Pollen germination test indicated that the pollen from the transgenic line TB-2 could not germinate normally. Further physiological, biochemical and cytological analyses showed that only significant difference was detectable in contents of the endogenous hormones, and a layer of unknown material adhered to the surface of microspore. The present studies thus provided valuable clues for understanding the biological function of the CYP86C subfamily genes. Furthermore, our studies also demonstrate a novel method for obtaining artificial male sterility line of Chinese cabbage.     

Inhibition of endogenous trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like activities in transgenic lettuce expressing heterogeneous proteinase inhibitor SaPIN2a

SaPIN2a, a proteinase inhibitor II from American black nightshade (Solanum americanum Mill.) is highly expressed in the phloem and could be involved in regulating proteolysis in the sieve elements. To further investigate the physiological role of SaPIN2a, we have produced transgenic lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) expressing SaPIN2a from the CaMV35S promoter by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Stable integration of the SaPIN2a cDNA and its inheritance in transgenic lines were confirmed by Southern blot analysis and segregation analysis of the R₁ progeny. SaPIN2a mRNA was detected in both the R₀ and R₁ transformants on northern blot analysis but the SaPIN2a protein was not detected on western blot analysis using anti-peptide antibodies against SaPIN2a. Despite an absence of significant inhibitory activity against bovine trypsin and chymotrypsin in extracts of transgenic lettuce, the endogenous trypsin-like activity in each transgenic line was almost completely inhibited, and the endogenous chymotrypsin-like activity moderately inhibited. Our finding that heterogeneously expressed SaPIN2a in transgenic lettuce inhibits plant endogenous protease activity further indicates that SaPIN2a regulates proteolysis, and could be potentially exploited for the protection of foreign protein production in transgenic plants.Abbreviations CaMV cauliflower mosaic virus - cDNA complementary DNA - NOS nopaline synthase - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - PI proteinase inhibitor - SaPIN2a Solanum americanum proteinase inhibitor IIa - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate - T-DNA transferred DNA     

中国水仙NtSOC1基因克隆及亚细胞定位

以中国水仙‘金盏银台’为实验材料,采用RACE和RT-PCR技术获得1个与开花相关的转录因子(SOC1)的同源基因NtSOC1。NtSOC1的cDNA全长1 603bp,含有1个687bp开放阅读框,编码228个氨基酸。生物信息学分析表明,NtSOC1与单子叶植物的SOC1同源基因的氨基酸序列较为相似,且在C末端同样含有一个保守性很高的SOC1motif序列,说明NtSOC1是属于SOC1/TM3亚家族基因。荧光定量PCR分析显示,NtSOC1在花芽分化阶段的表达量随着花芽的分化而升高,花芽分化结束时减少,表明NtSOC1基因可能参与中国水仙的花芽分化。成功构建了NtSOC1基因表达载体pCAMBIA1302-NtSOC1,通过农杆菌转化洋葱表皮对编码蛋白进行亚细胞定位结果显示,NtSOC1基因编码蛋白定位于细胞核,符合转录因子的亚细胞定位特征。该实验结果为进一步研究NtSOC1基因的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

Expression of the Human Milk Protein sCD14 in Tobacco Plant Cell Culture

The human milk protein sCD14 was expressed in tobacco plant cell cultures. Tobacco cells were transformed with a modified cd14 cDNA minus the GPI-tail and either the native human signal peptide (SP) or a plant SP, under the control of the CaMV-35S promoter. Transformants were screened using PCR and Southern blot analysis. The functionality of the inserted cDNA was checked by northern blot analysis for the presence of recombinant sCD14 mRNA. The detection of the protein has been observed by western blot analysis at an estimated level of 5 μg l⁻¹ in a non-soluble fraction of the culture medium.     

Cloning and characterization of a novel human TEKTIN1 gene

Tektins comprise a family of filament-forming proteins that are known to be coassembled with tubulins to form ciliary and flagellar microtubules. A new member of the tektin gene family was cloned from the human fetal brain cDNA library. We hence named it the human TEKTIN1 gene. TEKTIN1 cDNA consists of 1375 bp and has a putative open reading frame encoding 418 amino acids. The predicted protein is 48.3 kDa in size, and its amino acid sequence is 82% identical to that of the mouse, rat, and dog. One conserved peptide RPNVELCRD was observed at position number 323–331 of the amino acid sequence, which is a prominent feature of tektins and is likely to represent a functionally important protein domain. TEKTIN1 gene was mapped to the human chromosome 17 by BLAST search, and at least eight exons were found. Northern blot analysis indicated that TEKTIN1 was predominantly expressed in testis. By in-situ hybridization analysis, TEKTIN1 mRNA was localized to spermatocytes and round spermatids in the seminiferous tubules of the mouse testis, indicating that it may play a role in spermatogenesis.