CYP72B1基因和AUR3基因响应光、生长素和油菜素内酯的转录调控机制研究

为研究光、生长素和油菜素内酯在基因层次上的互作机制,开发了转录调控元件识别工具OCMMat,其中,在对共表达基因信息和直系同源基因信息进行整合时,利用了转录调控元件在直系同源基因启动子中的富集性.利用该方法发现,CYP7281基因和AUR3基因启动子含有3个相同的调控模序GAGACA、AAGAAAAA、ATCATG,它们分别承担了AuxRE元件、GT元件和GT辅助元件的功能.其中,ATCATG模序是目前尚未报道过的调控元件,与AAGAAAAA模序的距离相对恒定.基于调控元件识别结果,构建了CYP7281基因和AUR3基因响应光、生长素和油菜素内酯的转录调控模型,模型显示:光信号和生长素、油菜素内酯信号在CYP72B1基因和AUR3基因的转录调控元件上相互交叠,而生长素和油菜素内酯信号则在转录因子ARF水平上相交.     

蒺藜苜蓿花器官特异基因的表达分析

蒺藜苜蓿(Medicago truncatula G)花器官特异表达基因是参与其花器官形成与发育的重要基因。筛选蒺藜苜蓿的花器官特异表达基因,寻找这类基因在其他模式植物中的直系同源基因,并将其表达模式在不同植物间进行比较,有利于深入的理解这类基因在蒺藜苜蓿花器官发育中的功能。根据蒺藜苜蓿表达谱,并以其PISTILLAZA(PI)基因为模板,文章筛选了97个蒺藜苜蓿花器官特异表达基因(Ratio≥10,且Z≥7.9).通过同源比对,确定了这类基因在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana L.)、大豆(Glycinemax L.)、百脉根(Lotusjaponicus L.)和水稻(Oryzasativa L.)中的直系同源基因。对这类基因在5种植物中的表达量、表达部位和功能进行比较,发现进化关系较近的植物,直系同源基因的表达变异较小,而进化关系较远的植物,直系同源基因的表达变异较大。进一步对表达分化较大的直系同源基因进行启动子分析,发现不同植物中直系同源基因表达模式的变化与启动子中调控元件的特性有关。     

空间飞行水稻pi-hit-1基因启动子功能分析

pi-hit-1基因是本实验室通过空间诱变找到的一个水稻新基因。为了对pi-hit-1基因启动子结构和功能进行研究,首先使用植物启动子分析数据库(PlantProm DB-TSSP,TFSEARCH,PLACE及PlantCARE)对该基因转录调控区序列进行预测分析,结果显示该基因上游调控区存在多个顺式元件,主要集中在翻译起始位点前300bp的区域,转录起始位点位于翻译起始位点前100bp,在转录起始位点前132bp存在TATA box元件。凝胶电泳迁移率实验(EMSA)发现翻译起始位点上游约300bp存在转录因子特异结合位点,为该基因的核心启动子,这与预测结果一致。采用系统生物学的方法研究水稻新基因pi-hit-1启动子结构,发现了该基因的核心启动子元件,为研究空间环境如何影响基因的转录调控提供了重要依据。     

蒺藜苜蓿花器官特异基因的表达分析

蒺藜苜蓿(Medicago truncatula G.)花器官特异表达基因是参与其花器官形成与发育的重要基因。筛选蒺藜苜蓿的花器官特异表达基因, 寻找这类基因在其他模式植物中的直系同源基因, 并将其表达模式在不同植物间进行比较, 有利于深入的理解这类基因在蒺藜苜蓿花器官发育中的功能。根据蒺藜苜蓿表达谱, 并以其PISTILLATA(PI)基因为模板, 文章筛选了97个蒺藜苜蓿花器官特异表达基因(Ratio≥10, 且Z≥7.9)。通过同源比对, 确定了这类基因在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana L.)、大豆(Glycine max L.)、百脉根(Lotus japonicus L.)和水稻(Oryza sativa L.)中的直系同源基因。对这类基因在5种植物中的表达量、表达部位和功能进行比较, 发现进化关系较近的植物, 直系同源基因的表达变异较小, 而进化关系较远的植物, 直系同源基因的表达变异较大。进一步对表达分化较大的直系同源基因进行启动子分析, 发现不同植物中直系同源基因表达模式的变化与启动子中调控元件的特性有关。     

基于移动序列模式分析人基因组调控短序列

基因表达过程主要包括转录、剪接和翻译,多种调控元件参与其中,是个高度调控的过程。建模识别分析这些调控元件,对理解基因表达具有重要意义。本研究提出了一个基于移动序列模式的短序列建模模型,并对转录启动子和剪接调控元件进行了建模分析。启动子是基因转录的核心调控元件,剪接调控元件参与调控剪接位点的识别。分类实验结果表明,该模型可有效识别转录启动子序列和剪接调控元件序列。并进一步利用该模型,建模分析已为生物实验验证的、会导致剪接影响的基因组变异,实验结果表明,该模型可有效预测基因组变异的剪接影响,进一步验证了该模型的有效性。     

人Boule基因启动子区结合蛋白的生物信息学分析

目的：对精子发生RNA结合蛋白Boule基因启动子区结合蛋白进行生物信息学分析。方法：从基因参考序列数据库获取Boule基因启动子区序列,使用TFSEARCH程序对启动子序列中的转录因子结合位点进行预测。结果：成功获得长度为2kb的人Boule基因启动子区序列。该启动子区Thresholdscore〉90的共有60个转录因子结合位点,涉及sox家族、GATA结合蛋白家族、热休克因子家族、锌指蛋白Kruppel家族、POU家族、runt家族、同源异型框基因家族、TALE类同源结构蛋白家族、转录因子螺旋环螺旋家族、IKAROS家族、FOX家族11个家族的转录因子和3个TATAbox。结论：Boule基因表达的调控是在一定时间或空间上、一种或多种调节蛋白作用的复杂过程。调控Boule基因表达的转录因子绝大部分与胚胎发育、性别决定、个体生长密切相关。     

棉花DELLA蛋白基因GhGAI3和GhGAI4启动子的克隆及序列分析

棉纤维是纺织行业的重要原材料。赤霉素能够促进棉纤维的生长发育,而DELLA蛋白又是赤霉素信号转导通路中的关键调控因子,因此研究棉花DELLA蛋白基因表达的调控模式,对阐明棉纤维生长发育的分子生物学机理具有重要意义。本研究根据两个棉花DELLA蛋白基因GhGAI3和GhGAI4序列设计特异引物,以陆地棉新陆早13号的基因组DNA为模板,用基因组步移法克隆了棉花DELLA蛋白基因GhGAI3和GhGAI4的启动子。对两个启动子进行序列分析表明,这两个启动子均具有真核生物典型的核心启动子区,同时也都具有一个或多个光响应元件和赤霉素响应元件,说明这两个基因可能受到光信号和赤霉素信号的调控,这与其它植物中DELLA蛋白的表达模式是一致的。此外,这两个启动子还具有各种转录调控相关的顺式作用元件,比如其它激素类的响应元件和逆境胁迫响应元件,说明棉花中DELLA蛋白基因可能在响应其它激素信号以及逆境胁迫中也起到一定的作用。     

POLD1基因启动子中CDE/CHR元件的鉴定及功能分析

POLD1基因编码真核生物DNA聚合酶δ的催化亚基,其表达调控与细胞周期密切相关.为了探讨POLD1基因表达的调控机理,本研究首次在POLD1基因启动子中鉴定出CDE/CHR元件,随后通过分析元件序列定点突变对其转录活性的影响,以及与细胞周期相关的转录因子E2F和CDK及抑制因子p21WAF1/Cip1对其转录活性的调控作用,对此元件的功能进行了分析.结果显示,CDE/CHR元件序列突变后POLD1基因启动子转录活性明显升高,其转录活性不再受到E2F和p21WAF1/Cip1的调控,转录活性的细胞周期依赖性调控消失.与此同时本研究对直接参与CDE/CHR元件调控的蛋白进行了初步检测,结果显示,至少存在3种蛋白复合体能够与POLD1基因启动子中的CDE/CHR元件结合.由此证实,POLD1基因启动子中存在CDE/CHR元件,此元件与POLD1基因转录的细胞周期依赖性调控直接相关.     

肌肉特异性基因启动子的上游转录调控元件研究进展

真核生物启动子位于基因5’端上游转录起始位点附近,是包含核心启动子以及上游转录调控元件的一段DNA序列,这些转录调控元件控制着基因表达的强度和特异性。肌肉特异性启动子的上游调控元件种类、数量和排列顺序决定着基因在肌肉中的特异性表达。深入研究肌肉启动子的上游调控元件,可以进一步了解肌肉基因表达机制,从而为肌肉性状的改良、增殖分化的机理和疾病的基因治疗等研究提供重要依据。该文回顾了近年来肌肉特异性启动子研究领域中的新发现,包括肌肉特异性启动子转录调控元件的分子机制、建立人工合成肌肉启动子的方法及应用,并探讨该领域中急需解决的问题和发展前景。     

辽宁碱蓬胆碱单加氧酶(CMO)基因启动子分离及功能元件分析

根据已知的辽宁碱蓬CMO cDNA 5′端序列设计两个基因特异的反向引物(CR1,CR2),通过衔接头PCR获得了CMO基因起始密码子上游498 bp的序列。根据所获得的序列设计两个基因特异的反向引物(CR3,CR4),用CR2、CR3、CR4分别与4个简并引物配对,通过TAIL-PCR扩增,获得了约2 kb的序列。经Sequencer软件拼接上述两段序列,获得了CMO基因起始密码子上游2,332 bp的序列。用TSSP-TCM软件分析此序列,预测出转录起始点(C)位于起始密码子上游128 bp处,由此我们获得了2,204 bp的SlCMO启动子序列。用PLACE软件分析此序列,发现该序列具有启动子的基本元件TATA-box、CAAT-box,包含多个胁迫诱导元件,如盐诱导元件GAAAAA,冷胁迫诱导元件CANNTG,ABA 响应因子NAACAA,水胁迫元件CGGTTG和伤害诱导元件GTTAGGTTC等,是一个强的胁迫诱导启动子。辽宁碱蓬胆碱单加氧酶基因盐诱导启动子的获得,为盐诱导启动子功能元件分析提供了可能,为进一步研究启动子结构与功能的相互关系、CMO基因的表达调控机制奠定了基础。     

Cellular localization of Arabidopsis xyloglucan endotransglycosylase-related proteins during development and after wind stimulation.

A gene family encoding xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET)-related proteins exists in Arabidopsis. TCH4, a member of this family, is strongly up-regulated by environmental stimuli and encodes an XET capable of modifying cell wall xyloglucans. To investigate XET localization we generated antibodies against the TCH4 carboxyl terminus. The antibodies recognized TCH4 and possibly other XET-related proteins. These data indicate that XETs accumulate in expanding cell, at the sites of intercellular airspace formation, and at the bases of leaves, cotyledons, and hypocotyls. XETs also accumulated in vascular tissue, where cell wall modifications lead to the formation of tracheary elements and sieve tubes. Thus, XETs may function in modifying cell walls to allow growth, airspace formation, the development of vasculature, and reinforcement of regions under mechanical strain. Following wind stimulation, overall XET levels appeared to decrease in the leaves of wind-stimulated plants. However, consistent with an increase in TCH4 mRNA levels following wind, there were regions that showed increased immunoreaction, including sites around cells of the pith parenchyma, between the vascular elements, and within the epidermis. These results indicate that TCH4 may contribute to the adaptive changes in morphogenesis that occur in Arabidopsis following exposure to mechanical stimuli.     

Arabidopsis TCH3 encodes a novel Ca2+ binding protein and shows environmentally induced and tissue-specific regulation.

The Arabidopsis touch (TCH) genes are up-regulated in response to various environmental stimuli, including touch, wind, and darkness. Previously, it was determined that TCH1 encodes a calmodulin; TCH2 and TCH3 encode calmodulin-related proteins. Here, we present the sequence and genomic organization of TCH3. TCH3 is composed of three repeats; remarkably, the first two repeats share 94% sequence identity, including introns that are 99% identical. The conceptual TCH3 product is 58 to 60% identical to known Arabidopsis calmodulins; however, unlike calmodulin, which has four Ca2+ binding sites, TCH3 has six potential Ca2+ binding domains. TCH3 is capable of binding Ca2+, as demonstrated by a Ca(2+)-specific shift in electrophoretic mobility. 5' Fragments of the TCH3 locus, when fused to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene, are sufficient to confer inducibility of expression following stimulation of plants with touch or darkness. These TCH3 sequences also direct expression to growing regions of roots, vascular tissue, root/shoot junctions, trichomes, branch points of the shoot, and regions of siliques and flowers. The pattern of expression of the TCH3/GUS reporter genes most likely reflects expression of the native TCH3 gene, because immunostaining of the TCH3 protein shows similar localization. The tissue-specific expression of TCH3 suggests that expression may be regulated not only by externally applied mechanical stimuli but also by mechanical stresses generated during development. Consequently, TCH3 may perform a Ca(2+)-modulated function involved in generating changes in cells and/or tissues that result in greater strength or flexibility.     

Arabidopsis TCH4, regulated by hormones and the environment, encodes a xyloglucan endotransglycosylase.

Adaptation of plants to environmental conditions requires that sensing of external stimuli be linked to mechanisms of morphogenesis. The Arabidopsis TCH (for touch) genes are rapidly upregulated in expression in response to environmental stimuli, but a connection between this molecular response and developmental alterations has not been established. We identified TCH4 as a xyloglucan endotransglycosylase by sequence similarity and enzyme activity. Xyloglucan endotransglycosylases most likely modify cell walls, a fundamental determinant of plant form. We determined that TCH4 expression is regulated by auxin and brassinosteroids, by environmental stimuli, and during development, by a 1-kb region. Expression was restricted to expanding tissues and organs that undergo cell wall modification. Regulation of genes encoding cell wall-modifying enzymes, such as TCH4, may underlie plant morphogenetic responses to the environment.     

Life in a changing world: TCH gene regulation of expression and responses to environmental signals

The Arabidopsis TCH genes were discovered as a consequence of their marked upregulation of expression in response to seemingly innocuous stimuli, such as touch. Further analyses have indicated that these genes are upregulated by a variety of diverse stimuli. Understanding the mechanism(s) and factors that control TCH gene regulation will shed light on the signalling pathways that enable plants to respond to changing environmental conditions. The TCH proteins include calmodulin, calmodulin-related proteins and a xyloglucan endotransglycosylase. Expression analyses and localization of protein accumulation indicate that the potential sites of TCH protein function include expanding cells and tissues under mechanical strain. We hypothesize that the TCH proteins may collaborate in cell wall biogenesis.     

The Arabidopsis XET-related gene family: environmental and hormonal regulation of expression

Enzymes that modify cell wall components most likely play critical roles in altering size, shape, and physical properties of plant cells. Regulation of such modifying activity is expected to be important during morphogenesis and in eliciting developmental and physiological alterations that arise in response to environmental conditions. Previous work has shown that the Arabidopsis TCH4 gene encodes a xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET) which acts on the major hemicellulose of the plant cell wall. The expression of TCH4 is dramatically upregulated in response to several environmental stimuli (including touch, wind, darkness, heat shock, and cold shock) as well as the growth-enhancing hormones, auxin and brassinosteroids. This paper reports the presence of an extensive X ET ,related (XTR) gene family in Arabidopsis. In addition to TCH4, this family includes two previously identified genes, EXT and Meri-5, and at least five additional genes. The cDNAs of the XTR family share between 46 and 79% sequence identity and the predicted XTR proteins share from 37 to 84% identity. All eight proteins include potential N-terminal signal sequences and most have a conserved motif (DEIDFEFLG) that is also found in Bacillusβ-glucanase and may be important for enzyme activity. The members of the XTR gene family are differentially sensitive to environmental and hormonal stimuli. Magnitude and kinetics of regulation are distinct for the different genes. Differential regulation of expression of this complex gene family suggests a recruitment of related, yet distinct, cell wall-modifying enzymes that may control the properties of cell walls and tissues during development and in response to environmental cues.     

Cellular localization of the Ca2+ binding TCH3 protein of Arabidopsis

TCH3 is an Arabidopsis t ou ch ( TCH ) gene isolated as a result of its strong and rapid upregulation in response to mechanical stimuli, such as touch and wind. TCH3 encodes an unusual calcium ion-binding protein that is closely related to calmodulin but has the potential to bind six calcium ions. Here it is shown that TCH3 shows a restricted pattern of accumulation during Arabidopsis vegetative development. These data provide insight into the endogenous signals that may regulate TCH3 expression and the sites of TCH3 action. TCH3 is abundant in the shoot apical meristem, vascular tissue, the root columella and pericycle cells that give rise to lateral roots. In addition, TCH3 accumulation in cells of developing shoots and roots closely correlates with the process of cellular expansion. Following wind stimulation, TCH3 becomes more abundant in specific regions including the branchpoints of leaf primordia and stipules, pith parenchyma, and the vascular tissue. The consequences of TCH3 upregulation by wind are therefore spatially restricted and TCH3 may function at these sites to modify cell or tissue characteristics following mechanical stimulation. Because TCH3 accumulates specifically in cells and tissues that are thought to be under the influence of auxin, auxin levels may regulate TCH3 expression during development. TCH3 is upregulated in response to low levels of exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), but not by inactive auxin-related compounds. These results suggest that TCH3 protein may play roles in mediating physiological responses to auxin and mechanical environmental stimuli.