Comparative Effects of Direct Cadmium Contamination on Gene Expression in Gills, Liver, Skeletal Muscles and Brain of the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The effects of cadmium (Cd) on gene expression were examined in four organs (gills, liver, skeletal muscles and brain) of the zebrafish. Adult male fish were subjected to three different water contamination pressures over periods of 7 and 21 days: control medium (C₀: no Cd added) and two contaminated media (C₁: 1.9 ± 0.6 μg Cd l⁻¹, and C₂: 9.6 ± 2.9 μg Cd l⁻¹). Fourteen genes involved in antioxidant defences, metal chelation, active efflux of organic compounds, mitochondrial metabolism, DNA repair and apoptosis were selected and their expression levels investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Cadmium concentrations were determined in the four organs and metallothionein (MT) protein levels investigated in brain, liver and gills. Although skeletal muscle was a poor Cd-accumulating tissue, many genes were up-regulated at day 7: mt1, cyt, bax, gadd and rad51 genes. Three additional genes, c-jun, pyc and tap, were up-regulated in muscles at day 21 whereas bax, gadd and rad51 had returned to basal levels. Surprisingly, mt1 and c-jun were the only genes displaying a differential induction after 21 days in liver, although this organ accumulated the highest cadmium concentration. In brain, only mt1, mt2 and c-jun genes were up-regulated after 21 days. In gills, the highest response was observed after 7 days, featuring the differential expression of oxidative stress-response hsp70 and mitochondrial sod genes, along with genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism and metal detoxification. Then, after 21 days, the expression of almost every genes returned to basal levels while both mt1 and mt2 genes were up-regulated.     

Coevolutionary Patterns in Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I Depend on Structural and Functional Context

The strength and pattern of coevolution between amino acid residues vary depending on their structural and functional environment. This context dependence, along with differences in analytical technique, is responsible for the different results among coevolutionary analyses of different proteins. It is thus important to perform detailed study of individual proteins to gain better insight into how context dependence can affect coevolutionary patterns even within individual proteins, and to unravel the details of context dependence with respect to structure and function. Here we extend our previous study by presenting further analysis of residue coevolution in cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences from 231 vertebrates using a statistically robust phylogeny-based maximum likelihood ratio method. As in previous studies, a strong overall coevolutionary signal was detected, and coevolution within structural regions was significantly related to the C_α distances between residues. While the strong selection for adjacent residues among predicted coevolving pairs in the surface region indicates that the statistical method is highly selective for biologically relevant interactions, the coevolutionary signal was strongest in the transmembrane region, although the distances between coevolving residues were greater. This indicates that coevolution may act to maintain more global structural and functional constraints in the transmembrane region. In the transmembrane region, sites that coevolved according to polarity and hydrophobicity rather than volume had a greater tendency to colocalize with just one of the predicted proton channels (channel H). Thus, the details of coevolution in cytochrome c oxidase subunit I depend greatly on domain structure and residue physicochemical characteristics, but proximity to function appears to play a critical role. We hypothesize that coevolution is indicative of a more important functional role for this channel. Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

春兰CgSEP3基因的克隆和表达分析

该研究采用RT-PCR和RACE技术从春兰(Cymbidium goeringii)中分离到1个SEPALLATA3(SEP3)基因。序列分析表明,该基因含有1个732bp的开放阅读框(ORF),共编码243个氨基酸。系统进化树分析显示,该基因是MADS-box基因家族AP1/AGL9组SEP的同源基因,其编码蛋白与其它植物SEP3类蛋白具有较高的一致性,命名为CgSEP3(登录号为KF924272)。实时荧光定量分析表明,CgSEP3在春兰花器官中均有表达,其中在唇瓣、侧瓣和萼片中的表达量较高,在子房和蕊柱中的表达量较低;而且CgSEP3在花发育各个时期都有表达,在1~2cm的花芽中表达量最高,在盛开的花中的表达量最低。研究认为,CgSEP3基因可能在春兰花瓣和萼片的形成过程中具有重要作用。     

春兰AGL6-3基因的克隆及实时定量表达分析

该研究以春兰(Cymbidium goeringii)正常花及其2枚侧瓣突变成唇瓣样的花瓣(简称:蝶花)为实验材料,采用RT-PCR结合RACE技术从春兰中分离出AGL6-3基因。序列分析表明,AGL6-3基因在春兰正常花和蝶花中序列相同,该基因含有1个720bp长的开放阅读框(ORF),共编码239个氨基酸。系统进化树进行分析表明,该基因属于MADS-box基因中AP1/AGL9组的AGL6同源基因,命名为CgAGL6-3(基因登录号为KU058679)。实时荧光定量表达分析表明,CgAGL6-3在春兰正常花和蝶花各花器官中表达存在差异。在正常春兰中CgAGL6-3基因在唇瓣中强烈表达,在主萼、侧萼及蕊柱中表达量较低,在侧瓣中则微乎其微;而在蝶花中CgAGL6-3基因在唇瓣中强表达,侧瓣中的表达量次之,在主萼、侧萼和蕊柱中的表达量相近且均较低。研究说明,CgAGL6-3基因可能在春兰蝶花侧瓣唇瓣化的过程中扮演重要角色。     

萼脊兰AP1-like基因的克隆与表达分析

采用RT-PCR和RACE技术从萼脊兰(Sedirea japonica)花瓣中分离到1个MADS-box A类基因,该基因命名为AP1-like(登录号JQ776636)。AP1-like基因的cDNA全长1 221bp,包含1个753bp的开放阅读框(ORF),共编码250个氨基酸。蛋白序列比对和进化树分析表明,AP1-like蛋白与蝴蝶兰ORAP11蛋白的一致性为96%,进化距离最近。二级结构分析表明,该蛋白分子属于亲水性蛋白,其中有53.60%的α螺旋、7.20%的延伸链、39.20%的不规则折叠。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,萼脊兰AP1-like基因在盛花期的根和叶中表达量最高;在生殖器官中花蕾期花葶的表达量最高,其次是花蕾;盛花期中花葶的表达量最高,子房和合蕊柱的表达量次之,萼片、花瓣、唇瓣均有微量表达。研究认为,AP1-like可能在调控植物由营养生长向生殖生长过渡阶段及子房的建成中起重要作用。     

鸭儿芹羟基肉桂酸转移酶基因的克隆及其对不同温度的响应

以贵州省野生鸭儿芹为研究对象,用RT-PCR克隆获得与木质素合成有关的羟基肉桂酸转移酶基因(CjHCT),并分析CjHCT基因对不同温度的响应,探索人工栽培鸭儿芹的适宜温度。结果表明:(1)CjHCT基因开放阅读框长度为1 290bp,编码429个氨基酸;蛋白质分子质量为47.58kD,等电点为6.67;进化树分析表明,CjHCT与茄科植物的HCT亲缘关系最近。(2)荧光定量PCR分析显示,CjHCT基因在贵州鸭儿芹根、叶柄、叶及花不同组织中的表达具有组织特异性,且在根中CjHCT基因的表达量最高,而在叶中表达量最低,花与叶中该基因表达量相近。(3)对鸭儿芹生长过程中主要面临的4种不同温度(10℃、18℃、30℃和38℃)分别处理0、0.5、1、2、4、8、12、24h,荧光定量PCR检测显示,CjHCT基因的表达量(以0h处理作为对照,表达量为1)在高温(30℃和38℃)处理下于0.5h时最高,其中30℃处理的CjHCT基因表达量高于38℃处理;在低温(10℃和18℃)下鸭儿芹CjHCT基因表达量于12h时最高,其中10℃处理0.5h时CjHCT基因较对照表现为下调;高温(30℃和38℃)下CjHCT基因表达量峰值比低温(10℃和18℃)下表达量峰值高,而且峰值出现的时间也较早。该实验意义在于初步研究发现低温栽培鸭儿芹能抑制CjHCT基因的表达,为人工栽培鸭儿芹温度调控提供了参考。     

铁皮石斛钙网蛋白基因DoCRT1的分子克隆与表达研究

该研究采用RACE克隆铁皮石斛钙网蛋白(calreticulin,CRT)基因DoCRT1,进行生物信息学分析,并借助定量PCR检测基因表达模式,为揭示该基因在铁皮石斛生长发育及逆境生理中的分子作用奠定基础。结果表明:(1)DoCRT1基因(GenBank登录号KT957551)cDNA全长1 672bp,ORF长1 275bp,编码一条由424个氨基酸组成的多肽,分子量49.05kD,等电点4.42,具有CRT蛋白保守的钙网蛋白/钙联接蛋白P结构域(205~320)和类伴刀豆球蛋白凝集素/葡聚糖酶结构域A(20~222)以及多个基序;蛋白N端含有一个信号肽(1~23)和一个跨膜区域(8~24),预测结果显示主要定位于细胞液泡、胞外,与多种植物CRT蛋白一致性很高(80%~87%)。(2)DoCRT1蛋白与OsCRT1/2、ZmCRT1亲缘关系近,聚在CRT进化树的CRT1/2分支。(3)qRT-PCR检测结果显示,DoCRT1基因转录本在石斛根中表达量较高,为叶中的2.23倍,且茎与叶中表达量无显著差异。     

鸭儿芹肉桂酸4-羟化酶基因的克隆与不同温度下的表达分析

为研究鸭儿芹木质素合成相关基因,以贵州省野生鸭儿芹为研究对象,克隆到1条1 631bp长的肉桂酸4-羟化酶(C4H)基因(CjC4 H),并以鸭儿芹生长过程中主要面临的4种不同温度(10℃、18℃、30℃和38℃)处理0、0.5、1、2、4、8、12和24h,考察鸭儿芹木质素合成基因CjC4 H的表达情况,探讨鸭儿芹木质素合成基因受温度的调控关系,为鸭儿芹适宜生长温度的选择提供参考。开放阅读框(ORF)分析显示,CjC4 H基因的开放阅读框(ORF)长度为1 521bp,可编码506个氨基酸,蛋白分子质量为58.13kD,等电点为9.38。进化树分析表明,同科植物之间C4H进化上相对保守。实时定量PCR检测鸭儿芹中CjC4 H基因与温度的响应表达,结果表明38℃高温处理4h时,CjC4 H基因表达量远高于其他温度处理;而10℃和18℃相对低温处理,CjC4 H基因表达在24h时明显提高。     

Evidence for a Conformational Change in Subunit III of Bovine Heart Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase1

The role of subunit III in the function of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase is not clearly understood. Previous work has shown that chemical modification of subunit III with N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) reduced the proton-pumping efficiency of the enzyme by an unknown mechanism. In the current work, we have employed biochemical approaches to determine if a conformational change is occurring within subunit III after DCCD modification. Control and DCCD modified beef heart enzyme were subjected to limited proteolysis in nondenaturing detergent solution. Subunit III in DCCD treated enzyme was more susceptible to chymotrypsin digestion than subunit III in the control enzyme. We also labeled control and DCCD-modified enzyme with iodoacetyl—biotin, a sulfhydryl reagent, and found that subunit III of the DCCD-modified enzyme was more reactive when compared to subunit III of the control enzyme, indicating an increase in reactivity of subunit III upon DCCD binding. The cross linking of subunit III of the enzyme induced by the heterobifunctional reagent, N-succinimidyl(4-azidophenyl -1,3-dithio)-propionate (SADP), was inhibited by DCCD modification, suggesting that DCCD binding prevents the intersubunit cross linking of subunit III. Our results suggest that DCCD modification of subunit III causes a conformational change, which most likely disrupts critical hydrogen bonds within the subunit and also those at the interface between subunits III and I in the enzyme. The conformational change induced in subunit III by covalent DCCD binding is the most likely mechanism for the previously observed inhibition of proton-pumping activity.     

Genetic Diversity of Taenia asiatica from Thailand and Other Geographical Locations as Revealed by Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit 1 Sequences

Twelve 924 bp cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mitochondrial DNA sequences from Taenia asiatica isolates from Thailand were aligned and compared with multiple sequence isolates from Thailand and 6 other countries from the GenBank database. The genetic divergence of T. asiatica was also compared with Taenia saginata database sequences from 6 different countries in Asia, including Thailand, and 3 countries from other continents. The results showed that there were minor genetic variations within T. asiatica species, while high intraspecies variation was found in T. saginata. There were only 2 haplotypes and 1 polymorphic site found in T. asiatica, but 8 haplotypes and 9 polymorphic sites in T. saginata. Haplotype diversity was very low, 0.067, in T. asiatica and high, 0.700, in T. saginata. The very low genetic diversity suggested that T. asiatica may be at a risk due to the loss of potential adaptive alleles, resulting in reduced viability and decreased responses to environmental changes, which may endanger the species.     

发状念珠藻干旱胁迫响应基因NfGR的克隆与鉴定

该研究采用PCR技术,从发状念珠藻细胞中克隆了谷胱甘肽还原酶(glutathione reductase,GR)基因,命名为NfGR,其开放阅读框长1 374bp,编码458个氨基酸,蛋白相对分子量为49.42kD,理论等电点为5.49。氨基酸序列分析表明,NfGR蛋白具有NADPH结合位点超家族(NADB-Rossmann superfamily)和吡啶氧化还原酶二聚体超家族(Pyr_redox_dim superfamily)2个结构域,与点形念珠藻(Nostoc punctiforme)的相似性达93%。系统进化树分析表明,NfGR与点形念珠藻处在同一进化枝上,亲缘关系较近。qRT-PCR表达分析表明,在不同浓度PEG-6000处理下,NfGR基因均保持上调表达,其中,PEG-6000浓度为8%时,NfGR基因的相对表达量达到峰值(32.69)。研究推测,谷胱甘肽还原酶可能参与了发状念珠藻对干旱胁迫过程的响应。     

Heavy Metal-Induced Differential Gene Expression of Metallothionein in Javanese Medaka, Oryzias javanicus

A metallothionein (MT) gene was isolated for the first time from Javanese medaka, Oryzias javanicus, which shows high adaptability from freshwater to seawater. The full-length cDNA of MT from O. javanicus (OjaMT) comprises 349 bp, excluding the poly(A)⁺ stretch, and codes for a total of 60 amino acids. The positions of cysteine residues are highly conserved. The pattern of OjaMT expression induced by six heavy metals was analyzed via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The level of hepatic OjaMT mRNA was increased in a dose-dependent manner by Ag, Cd, Cu, and Zn after 24 h of exposure. However, after Cr and Ni exposure, a significant decrease in OjaMT levels was observed. Cadmium-induced OjaMT expression was detectable in fishes as young as 3 months. After Cd exposure, OjaMT induction was prominent in intestine and liver and moderate in muscle and gill. OjaMT mRNA levels could represent a good biomarker for monitoring heavy metals in seawater.     

烟草NtHMA4基因突变体鉴定及低镉特性研究

该研究从中国烟草主栽品种‘云烟87’的EMS突变体库中,通过TILLING技术筛选,获得NtHMA4的EMS突变体hma4-4h12。对突变体进行测序表明,该突变体核苷酸突变方式为C152T,氨基酸突变方式为T51I。利用100μmol/L氯化镉对突变体进行镉胁迫试验表明,hma4-4h12与对照‘云烟87’相比,叶片中镉、锌、铜、砷、铅、镍含量分别降低55.48%、21.11%、20.96%、27.50%、16.23%和19.28%,铁、锰和铬含量与对照没有显著差异。hma4-4h12突变体大田农艺性状观察表明,其株高、节距、茎围等与对照相比显著变小,推测hma4-4h12中含有影响这些性状的突变位点。该研究获得的低镉突变体hma4-4h12可以作为培育低镉烟草品种的材料,但是育种中利用该突变体,后续还需要通过回交去除不利突变的影响。     

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。     

草菇热激蛋白60基因(Vvhsp60)生物信息学分析及低温下的表达

【背景】生物受到温度胁迫时,热激蛋白被诱导并在短时间内大量产生,可以使受损的蛋白质恢复正常构象,增强生物对逆境胁迫的耐受性。【目的】初步探究草菇热激蛋白60(Vvhsp60)与低温耐受性的关系,为深入开展草菇不耐低温特性的遗传改良奠定理论基础。【方法】对Vvhsp60进行生物信息学分析,以低温敏感型草菇菌株V23及耐低温菌株VH3为实验材料,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析低温胁迫及热激诱导后在低温下草菇菌丝体中Vvhsp60基因的表达水平。【结果】草菇Vvhsp60编码蛋白不存在信号肽,不属于分泌蛋白,在线粒体和细胞质内发挥生物学作用,属于双向跨膜蛋白。低温处理显著提高了V23与VH3菌丝体中Vvhsp60基因的表达量,而且VH3中的表达量显著高于V23,推测Vvhsp60基因的表达量高可能有助于增强草菇对低温胁迫的耐受性。经热激处理后两菌株Vvhsp60基因的表达量显著高于各自未热激处理的对照组,表明热激处理可诱导Vvhsp60基因的表达。【结论】Vvhsp60与草菇低温耐受性相关,并且热激可以诱导Vvhsp60基因的表达。     

铁皮石斛M型硫氧还蛋白基因的分子特征

利用RT-PCR和RACE技术,从珍稀濒危兰科药用植物铁皮石斛中分离到1个编码M型硫氧还蛋白(TRX)基因cDNA全长,命名为Do TRXm1(GenBank注册号KC178573).序列分析结果表明,DoTRXm1基因长850 bp,ORF(570 bp)编码1条由189个氨基酸组成的肽链,分子量20.32 kD,等电点9.44;DoTRXm1蛋白具有保守的硫氧还蛋白结构域(第87～187位氨基酸)和催化位点(106～124).多序列比对和系统进化分析结果显示,DoTRXm1与植物M型TRXs基因有较高相似性(53％～70％),与水稻、玉米以及高梁等单子叶植物TRXs聚在1个分支,隶属于M型TRXs基因进化系统的Ⅱ类群.实时定量PCR分析显示,DoTRXm1基因为组成型表达,其转录本在石斛根中的相对表达量较高,为叶中的5.63倍,茎中次之(2.35倍),叶中最低.该研究为进一步解析DoTRXml在铁皮石斛生长发育、逆境胁迫等过程中的生物学功能奠定基础.     

Relative quantification of chrysanthemum yellows (16Sr I) phytoplasma in its plant and insect host using real-time polymerase chain reaction

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the quantification of chrysanthemum yellows (CY) phytoplasma DNA in its plant (Chrysanthemum carinatum) and insect (Macrosteles quadripunctulatus) host is described. The quantity of CY DNA was measured in each run relative to the amount of host DNA in the sample. Primers and a TaqMan probe for the specific PCR amplification of phytoplasma DNA were designed on a cloned CY-specific ribosomal fragment. Primers and TaqMan probes were also designed on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region of the insect’s ITS1 rDNA and of the plant’s 18S rDNA for amplification from C. carinatum and M. quadripunculatus, respectively. Absolute quantification of CY DNA was achieved by comparison with a dilution series of the plasmid containing a CY 16S rDNA target sequence. Absolute quantification of plant and insect DNAs was achieved by comparison with a dilution series of the corresponding DNAs. Quantification of CY DNA in relation to host DNA was finally expressed as genome units (GU) of phytoplasma DNA per nanogram of host (plant or insect) DNA. Relative quantification avoided influences due to different yields during the DNA extraction procedure. The quantity of CY DNA was about 10,000–20,000 GU/ng of plant DNA and about 30,000–50,000 GU/ng of insect DNA. The method described could be used to phytoplasma multiplication and movement in different plant and insect hosts.     

Gene Expression of Metabolic Enzymes and a Protease Inhibitor in the Prefrontal Cortex Are Decreased in Schizophrenia

Microarray expression studies have reported decreased mRNA expression of histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein (HINT1) and cytosolic malate dehydrogenase (MDH1) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of individuals with schizophrenia. Microarray results for neuroserpin (SERPINI1) mRNA in the DLPFC have reported increased and decreased expression in individuals with schizophrenia. The relative abundances of HINT1, MDH1, and SERPINI1 mRNA in the DLPFC in individuals with schizophrenia and controls were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and for HINT1 expression by in situ hybridization. The Q-PCR results were compared by analysis of covariance between individuals with schizophrenia and controls. Gene expression levels for HINT1, MDH1, and SERPINI1 were significantly different between the groups. The male individuals with schizophrenia compared to male controls showed reductions by 2.8- to 3.7-fold of HINT1, neuroserpin, and MDH1 by Q-PCR. The decreases in mRNA abundance for MDH1 (P = 0.006), HINT1 (P = 0.050), and neuroserpin (P = 0.005) in DLPFC of male individuals with schizophrenia is consistent with prior reports. HINT1 mRNA was reduced significantly by 34% in layer VI. Though there were no significant interactions with gender, gene expression between female patients and the female control group did not differ. These results confirm earlier reports and suggest abnormalities of specific genes related to metabolic and protease activities in the DLPFC might be considered as part of a molecular pathway in male patients with schizophrenia.     

Fungal origin by horizontal transfer of a plant mitochondrial group I intron in the chimeric coxI gene of Peperomia

We present phylogenetic evidence that a group I intron in an angiosperm mitochondrial gene arose recently by horizontal transfer from a fungal donor species. A 1,716-bp fragment of the mitochondrial coxI gene from the angiosperm Peperomia polybotrya was amplified via the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Comparison to other coxI genes revealed a 966-bp group I intron, which, based on homology with the related yeast coxI intron aI4, potentially encodes a 279-amino-acid site-specific DNA endonuclease. This intron, which is believed to function as a ribozyme during its own splicing, is not present in any of 19 coxI genes examined from other diverse vascular plant species. Phylogenetic analysis of intron origin was carried out using three different tree-generating algorithms, and on a variety of nucleotide and amino acid data sets from the intron and its flanking exon sequences. These analyses show that the Peperomia coxI gene intron and exon sequences are of fundamentally different evolutionary origin. The Peperomia intron is more closely related to several fungal mitochondrial introns, two of which are located at identical positions in coxI, than to identically located coxI introns from the land plant Marchantia and the green alga Prototheca. Conversely, the exon sequence of this gene is, as expected, most closely related to other angiosperm coxI genes. These results, together with evidence suggestive of co-conversion of exonic markers immediately flanking the intron insertion site, lead us to conclude that the Peperomia coxI intron probably arose by horizontal transfer from a fungal donor, using the double-strand-break repair pathway. The donor species may have been one of the symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi that live in close obligate association with most plants. Correspondence to: J.C. Vaughn     

龙眼体细胞胚胎发生过程中DlWUS的克隆与表达分析

以龙眼‘红核子’LC2悬浮细胞系诱导的胚性愈伤组织为基本材料,按照龙眼体细胞胚胎同步化方法诱导获得龙眼体胚不同阶段材料,并以龙眼体细胞胚胎发生不同阶段混合材料作为试验材料,采用RT-PCR结合RACE技术分离并克隆龙眼中编码同源异型结构域蛋白的转录因子WUSCHEL(简称DlWUS)的cDNA全长及DNA序列,并进行序列分析与表达分析。结果表明:DlWUS的cDNA全长1 110bp,开放阅读框(ORF)858bp,共编码285个氨基酸(GenBank登录号为KM017506),DlWUS的DNA包含2个内含子。序列分析表明,DlWUS是一个不稳定的亲水蛋白,不含信号肽,亚细胞定位于细胞核,具跨膜结构和Homeodomain超级家族的保守结构域以及WUS转录因子家族特有的WUS box和EAR-like结构域,推测该目的基因确实为WUS转录因子。系统进化分析显示,龙眼DlWUS与脐橙WUS归为一个分支,亲缘关系较近。实时荧光定量PCR分析结果表明,在龙眼体细胞胚胎发生整个过程中,DlWUS均有表达,但仅在球形胚时期表达量较高,说明DlWUS可能主要在球形胚阶段发挥作用,并且在一定浓度范围内,外源施加IAA和GA3能够促进DlWUS基因的表达,而外源施加SA则抑制DlWUS基因的表达。