高等植物葡萄糖-6- 磷酸脱氢酶与6- 磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因的不同进化起源

葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶与6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶是植物戊糖磷酸途径中的两个关键酶。在克隆了水稻质体葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因OsG6PDH2和质体6-磷酸葡萄糖脱氢酶基因Os6PGDH2基础上,分析比较了水稻胞质和质体葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因和6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因的基因结构、表达特性和进化地位。结合双子叶模式植物拟南芥两种酶基因的分析结果,认为高等植物葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因和6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因在进化方式上截然不同,葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶的胞质基因与动物和真菌等真核生物具有共同的祖先;6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶的胞质酶和质体酶基因都起源于原核生物的内共生。讨论了植物葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶与6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因可能的进化模式,为高等植物及质体的进化起源提供了新的资料。     

高等植物葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶与6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因的不同进化起源

葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶与6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶是植物戊糖磷酸途径中的两个酶.在克隆了水稻质体葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因OsG6PDH2和质体6-磷酸葡萄糖脱氢酶基因Os6PGDH2基础上,分析比较了水稻胞质和质体葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因和6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因的基因结构、表达特性和进化地位.结合双子叶模式植物拟南芥两种酶基因的分析结果,认为高等植物葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因和6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因在进化方式上截然不同,葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶的胞质基因与动物和真菌等真核生物具有共同的祖先;6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶的胞质酶和质体酶基因都起源于原核生物的内共生.讨论了植物葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶与6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因可能的进化模式,为高等植物及质体的进化起源提供了新的资料.     

Complexity of rice Hsp100 gene family: lessons from rice genome sequence data

Elucidation of genome sequence provides an excellent platform to understand detailed complexity of the various gene families. Hsp100 is an important family of chaperones in diverse living systems. There are eight putative gene loci encoding for Hsp100 proteins in Arabidopsis genome. In rice, two full-length Hsp100 cDNAs have been isolated and sequenced so far. Analysis of rice genomic sequence by in silico approach showed that two isolated rice Hsp100 cDNAs correspond to Os05g44340 and Os02g32520 genes in the rice genome database. There appears to be three additional proteins (encoded by Os03g31300, Os04g32560 and Os04g33210 gene loci) that are variably homologous to Os05g44340 and Os02g32520 throughout the entire amino acid sequence. The above five rice Hsp100 genes show significant similarities in the signature sequences known to be conserved among Hsp100 proteins. While Os05g44340 encodes cytoplasmic Hsp100 protein, those encoded by the other four genes are predicted to have chloroplast transit peptides.     

Structure and expression of the lignin O-methyltransferase gene from Zea mays L.

The isolation and characterization of cDNA and homologous genomic clones encoding the lignin O-methyltransferase (OMT) from maize is reported. The cDNA clone has been isolated by differential screening of maize root cDNA library. Southern analysis indicates that a single gene codes for this protein. The genomic sequence contains a single 916 bp intron. The deduced protein sequence from DNA shares significant homology with the recently reported lignin-bispecific caffeic acid/5-hydroxyferulic OMTs from alfalfa and aspen. It also shares homology with OMTs from bovine pineal glands and a purple non-sulfur photosynthetic bacterium. The mRNA of this gene is present at different levels in distinct organs of the plant with the highest accumulation detected in the elongation zone of roots. Bacterial extracts from clones containing the maize OMT cDNA show an activity in methylation of caffeic acid to ferulic acid comparable to that existing in the plant extracts. These results indicate that the described gene encodes the caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase (COMT) involved in the lignin biosynthesis of maize.     

Metabolic engineering and flux analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corynebacterium glutamicum</Emphasis> for L-serine production

l-Serine plays a critical role as a building block for cell growth, and thus it is difficult to achieve the direct fermentation of l-serine from glucose. In this study, Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 was engineered de novo by blocking and attenuating the conversion of l-serine to pyruvate and glycine, releasing the feedback inhibition by l-serine to 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PGDH), in combination with the co-expression of 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and feedback-resistant PGDH (PGDH^r). The resulting strain, SER-8, exhibited a lower specific growth rate and significant differences in l-serine levels from Phase I to Phase V as determined for fed-batch fermentation. The intracellular l-serine pool reached (14.22±1.41) μmol g_CDM ⁻¹, which was higher than glycine pool, contrary to fermentation with the wild-type strain. Furthermore, metabolic flux analysis demonstrated that the over-expression of PGK directed the flux of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) towards the glycolysis pathway (EMP), and the expression of PGDH^r improved the l-serine biosynthesis pathway. In addition, the flux from l-serine to glycine dropped by 24%, indicating that the deletion of the activator GlyR resulted in down-regulation of serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) expression. Taken together, our findings imply that l-serine pool management is fundamental for sustaining the viability of C. glutamicum, and improvement of C₁ units generation by introducing the glycine cleavage system (GCV) to degrade the excessive glycine is a promising target for l-serine production in C. glutamicum.     

Isolation and characterization of an Arabidopsis thaliana gene for the 54 kDa subunit of the signal recognition particle

The first step in the routing of newly synthesized proteins into the secretory pathway is the binding of the nascent signal sequence to the signal recognition particle. The mammalian signal recognition particle is a complex consisting of 6 proteins and a single 7S RNA molecule. Signal recognition particle-like complexes have been described from wheat and maize but none of the protein components have yet been described from any plant species. Here we report the cloning and characterization of an Arabidopsis thaliana gene encoding the 54 kDa protein subunit of the signal recognition particle. This is the first report of a SRP-54 sequence for any plant species and the first genomic sequence for any multicellular organism.Abbreviations ER endoplasmic reticulum - PCR polymerase chain reaction - SRP signal recognition particle     

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Dehydrin Gene from Ginkgo biloba

A full-length cDNA encoding a dehydrin was cloned from the living fossil plant Ginkgo biloba by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The cDNA, designated as GbDHN, was 813 bp long containing an open reading frame of 489 bp. The deduced GbDHN protein had 163 amino acid residues, which formed a 17 kDa polypeptide with a predicted isoelectric point (pI) of 5.75. GbDHN had an S-segment and a K-segment, indicative of dehydrins, but no Y-segments. Homology analysis indicated that the S-segment and K-segment of GbDHN shared identity with those of other reported dehydrins, indicating that GbDHN belonged to dehydrin superfamily. Genomic sequence of GbDHN was also cloned using genomic walker technology. By comparing genomic DNA with the cDNA, it was found that there was a 257-bp intron in this gene. Promoter analysis indicated that it contained six CAAT boxes, one TATA box, one ABRE box and one GC-motif in the 5′-flanking region. Southern blot analysis revealed that GbDHN belonged to a single copy gene family. RT-PCR analysis revealed that GbDHN constitutively expressed in stems and roots. The increased expression of GbDHN was detected when G. biloba seedlings were treated with exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), salt stress and drought stress. These results indicate that the GbDHN has the potential to play a role in response to ABA and environmental stresses that can cause plant dehydration.     

Pentose phosphate metabolism during dormancy breakage in Corylus avellana L.

Commercially obtained fruits of Corylus avellana exhibit the characteristic loss of dormancy of this seed following chilling under moist conditions. The activities of cytosolic and organellar enzymes of pentose phosphate pathway in cotyledonary tissue were assayed throughout stratification and over a similar period in damp vermiculite at 20° C. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconic acid dehydrogenase (6PGDH) were both found in cytosolic extracts in all treatments; only 6PGDH was present in the organellar fraction.The enzyme activities monitored in seeds at 20° C remained relatively constant over the course of the investigation except in the case of cytosolic 6PGDH where it is suggested an inhibitor of the enzyme accumulated. This inhibitor was removed by the partial purification procedure. Increases in the activities of the enzymes occurred during stratification, the major increase coinciding exactly with dormancy breakage but prior to the initiation of germination. The marked increase in G6PDH and 6PGDH concurrent with the change in germination potential of the chilled seed may have considerable biochemical significance in breaking down the dormant state.Abbreviations G6P glucose-6-phosphate - G6PDH glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase - NADP nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - 6 PGDH 6-phosphogluconic acid dehydrogenase - PPP pentose phosphate pathway     

Cloning and Characterization of a Root-specific Expressing Gene Encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme a Reductase from Ginkgo biloba

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR, EC: 1.1.1.34) catalyzes the first committed step in mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway for biosynthesis of isoprenoids. The full-length cDNA encoding HMGR was isolated from Ginkgo biloba for the first time (designated as GbHMGR, GenBank accession number AY741133), which contained a 1713 bp ORF encoding 571 amino acids. The GbHMGR genomic DNA sequence was also obtained, revealing GbHMGR had four exons and three introns. The deduced GbHMGR protein showed high identity to other plant HMGRs and contained two trans-membrane domains and a catalytic domain. The three dimensional model of GbHMGR represented a typical spatial structure of HMGRs. The Southern blot and RT-PCR assay results indicated that GbHMGR belonged to a small gene family, and expressed in a tissue-specific manner with a low level expression being only found in root. The potential significance of GbHMGR gene was also discussed.     

Characterization of a pollen-expressed gene encoding a putative pectin esterase ofPetunia inflata

From a pollen tube cDNA library ofPetunia inflata, we isolated cDNA clones encoding a protein, PPE1, which exhibits sequence similarity with plant, bacterial, and fungal pectin esterases. Genomic clones containing thePPE1 gene were isolated using cDNA for PPE1 as a probe, and comparison of the cDNA and genomic sequences revealed the presence of a single intron in thePPE1 gene. During pollen development,PPE1 mRNA was first detected in anthers containing uninucleate microspores; it reached the highest level in mature pollen and persisted at a high level inin vitro germinated pollen tubes. The observed expression pattern of thePPE1 gene suggests that its product may play a role in pollen germination and/or tube growth.     

Gene expression and genetic mapping analyses of a perennial ryegrass glycine-rich RNA-binding protein gene suggest a role in cold adaptation

A perennial ryegrass cDNA clone encoding a putative glycine-rich RNA binding protein (LpGRP1) was isolated from a cDNA library constructed from crown tissues of cold-treated plants. The deduced polypeptide sequence consists of 107 amino acids with a single N-terminal RNA recognition motif (RRM) and a single C-terminal glycine-rich domain. The sequence showed extensive homology to glycine-rich RNA binding proteins previously identified in other plant species. LpGRP1-specific genomic DNA sequence was isolated by an inverse PCR amplification. A single intron which shows conserved locations in plant genes was detected between the sequence motifs encoding RNP-1 and RNP-2 consensus protein domains. A significant increase in the mRNA level of LpGRP1 was detected in root, crown and leaf tissues during the treatment of plants at 4°C, through which freezing tolerance is attained. The increase in the mRNA level was prominent at least 2 h after the commencement of the cold treatment, and persisted for at least 1 week. Changes in mRNA level induced by cold treatment were more obvious than those due to treatments with abscisic acid (ABA) and drought. The LpGRP1 protein was found to localise in the nucleus in onion epidermal cells, suggesting that it may be involved in pre-mRNA processing. The LpGRP1 gene locus was mapped to linkage group 2. Possible roles for the LpGRP1 protein in adaptation to cold environments are discussed.     

Purification of chloroplast elongation factor Tu and cDNA analysis in tobacco: the existence of two chloroplast elongation factor Tu species

We have purified a chloroplast elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and determined its N-terminal amino acid sequence. Two distinct cDNAs encoding EF-Tu were isolated from a leaf cDNA library of N. sylvestris (the female progenitor of N. tabacum) using an oligonucleotide probe based on the EF-Tu protein sequence. The cDNA sequence and genomic Southern analyses revealed that tobacco chloroplast EF-Tu is encoded by two distinct genes in the nuclear genome of N. sylvestris. We designated the corresponding gene products EF-Tu A and B. The mature polypeptides of EF-Tu A and B are 408 amino acids long and share 95.3% amino acid identity. They show 75–78% amino acid identity with cyanobacterial and chloroplast-encoded EF-Tu species.     

Nucleotide sequence and characterization of a maize cytoplasmic ribosomal protein S11 cDNA

We isolated a Zea mays cDNA encoding the 40S subunit cytoplasmic ribosomal protein S11. The nucleotide sequence was determined and the derived amino acid sequence compared to the corresponding Arabidopsis thaliana protein showing an homology of 90%. This ribosomal protein is encoded by a small multigene family of at least two members. The mRNA steady-state level is about one order of magnitude higher in rapidly growing parts of the plant such as the roots and shoots of seedlings compared to fully expanded leaf tissue.     

厚藤脱水素基因IpDHN启动子IpDHN-Pro的克隆和调控转录活性分析

为了解厚藤(Ipomoea pes-caprae)脱水素基因IpDHN (GenBank登录号:KX426069)启动子的转录活性和对非生物胁迫和植物激素ABA的响应,通过染色体步移法克隆了IpDHN的上游启动子序列IpDHN-Pro,长度为974 bp。构建IpDHN-Pro调控下GUS转基因载体,转化拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)植株获得IpDHN-Pro::GUS转基因植株并进行GUS染色,验证IpDHN-Pro启动转录活性以及在氯化钠、甘露醇、ABA处理后拟南芥GUS基因表达变化。结果表明,扩增获得的IpDHN-Pro序列包含多个顺式作用元件,包括1个ABRE、3个Myb转录因子结合位点、富含TC的重复序列以及Skn-1基序等。转基因拟南芥GUS染色及qRT-PCR表明该序列可驱动GUS基因在拟南芥稳定表达,且表达受高盐、渗透压及ABA的诱导。这表明IpDHN-Pro是一个盐旱、ABA诱导的启动子序列,可应用于相关的植物抗逆遗传工程研究。     

A phylogenetic analysis based on the gene encoding phosphoglycerate kinase

Summary We have determined the nucleotide sequence of both genomic and complementary DNA (cDNA) for the gene encoding the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase from the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. The amino acid sequence for the enzyme has also been derived from the cDNA sequence. The gene contains an open reading frame of 1260 nucleotides encoding 420 amino acids. Coding sequence in genomic DNA is interrupted by two introns at positions corresponding to introns 3 and 4 in mammalian phosphoglycerate kinase genes. The derived amino acid sequence was used to prepare a phylogeny by aligning the Tetrahymena sequence with 25 other phosphoglycerate kinase amino acid sequences. The Tetrahymena sequence is a typical eukaryotic sequence. There is recognizable and clear homology across species that cover nearly the complete range of life forms. The phylogenetic reconstruction of these sequences generally supports the conclusions that have been reached using rRNA sequences.Offprint requests to: R.E. Pearlman