Cloning and characterization of a PI-like MADS-box gene in Phalaenopsis orchid

The highly evolved flowers of orchids have colorful sepals and fused columns that offer an opportunity to discover new genes involved in floral development in monocotyledon species. In this investigation, we cloned and characterized the homologous PISTALLATA-like (PI-like) gene PhPI15 (Phalaenopsis PI STILLATA # 15), from the Phalaenopsis hybrid cultivar. The protein sequence encoded by PhPI15 contains a typical PI-motif. Its sequence also formed a subclade with other monocot PI-type genes in phylogenetic analysis. Southern analysis showed that PhPI15 was present in the Phalaenopsis orchid genome as a single copy. Furthermore, it was expressed in all the whorls of the Phalaenopsis flower, while no expression was detected in vegetative organs. The flowers of transgenic tobacco plants ectopically expressing PhPI15 showed male-sterile phenotypes. Thus, as a Class-B MADS-box gene, PhPI15 specifies floral organ identity in orchids.     

Cloning and characterization of PhPI9 involved in floral development from Phalaenopsis Orchid

In the attempt to discover new genes involved in the floral development in monocotyledonousin species, we have cloned and characterized the homologous PISTALLATA-like (PI-like) gene from Phalaenopsis hybrid cultivar named PhPI9 (Ph alaenopsis PI STILLATA # 9). The cDNA of PhPI9 has a fragment of 834 bp and has 60% identity with the PISTILATA from Arabidopsis. The deduced amino acid sequence of PhPI9 had the typical PI-motif. It also formed a subclade with other monocot PI-type genes in phylogenetic analysis. Southern analysis showed that PhPI9 was present in the Phalaenopsis orchid genome as a single copy. Furthermore, it was expressed only in the lip of the Phalaenopsis flower and no expression was detected in vegetative organs. Thus, as a B-function MADS-box gene, PhPI9 specifies floral organ identity in orchids. __________ Translated from Journal of Fudan University (Natural Science), 2006, 45(3): 277–282 [译自: 复旦学报(自然科学版)]     

蝴蝶兰PhalPI基因的克隆及在花器官突变体中的表达分析

为深入研究兰科植物花器官发育的调控机理,从蝴蝶兰花瓣中克隆了一个B类MADS-box转录因子PhalPI（GenBank登录号为KY020416）。序列分析表明,该基因的cDNA全长为944 bp,含完整的开放阅读框,可编码210个氨基酸,属于BGLO/PI蛋白家族,与蝴蝶兰属的PhPI10和PeMADS6基因关系最近;表达模式分析表明,PhalPI基因在生殖器官中表达,在营养器官中不表达,在授粉后的子房中,该基因的表达水平降低。在5种花器官突变体中,PhalPI基因在萼片唇瓣化突变体的萼片和蕊柱中表达水平明显升高;在雄蕊花瓣化突变体的萼片和侧瓣中表达水平降低,在其唇瓣和蕊柱中显著升高;在侧瓣合柱化突变体的蕊柱中,PhalPI基因的表达也发生了显著升高;PhalPI基因表达的改变与花器官形态的突变相关;而在侧瓣唇瓣化和侧瓣花药化突变体中,PhalPI基因的表达水平没有变化。推测该基因在决定蝴蝶兰侧瓣和唇瓣的发育中起重要的调控作用。     

蝴蝶兰LFY基因克隆及高效植物表达载体的构建

根据NCBI中蝴蝶兰LFY花序分生组织基因序列设计2对引物,用RT-PCR法从蝴蝶兰花芽中扩增出LFY基因,对扩增产物进行克隆和测序.结果表明,获得的蝴蝶兰LFY基因约为1500 bp,与报道序列同源性达98.71％.将LFY基因插入pRI101-ON载体中,经PCR、双酶切及测序鉴定,证实重组表达质粒中含有目的片段,表明成功构建了高效植物表达载体pRI1O1-LFY.     

PeMADS6, a GLOBOSA/PISTILLATA-like gene in Phalaenopsis equestris involved in petaloid formation, and correlated with flower longevity and ovary development

In this study, we isolated and characterized the function of a GLOBOSA/PISTILLATA-like gene, PeMADS6, from a native Phalaenopsis species, P. equestris. Southern blot analysis showed PeMADS6 as a single copy in the Phalaenopsis genome. Results of the determination of temporal and spatial expression showed that PeMADS6 was expressed and thus participated in the development of the sepals, petals, labellum and column in Phalaenopsis. Further confirmation of the expression pattern of PeMADS6 was carried out with in situ hybridization. Repressed expression of PeMADS6 in the orchid ovary was found to be pollination regulated, which suggests that the gene may have an inhibitory effect on the development of the ovary or ovule. In addition, auxin acted as the candidate signal to regulate the repression of PeMADS6 expression in the ovary. Furthermore, the flowers of transgenic Arabidopsis plants ectopically overexpressing PeMADS6 showed the morphology of petaloid sepals, with a 3- to 4-fold increase in flower longevity. Concomitantly, delayed fruit maturation was also observed in the transgenic Arabidopsis, which is consistent with the inhibitory effect of PeMADS6 on the development of the ovary. Thus, as a B-function gene, PeMADS6, not only specifies floral organ identity but has functions in flower longevity and ovary development in orchids.     

兰花花发育的分子生物学研究进展

兰科植物是开花植物中最大的家族之一,其花高度进化,具有花瓣状的萼片,特化的唇瓣和雌雄蕊合生的蕊柱,是单子叶植物花发育生物学研究的理想材料。近年来有关兰花花发育基因调控的研究已取得了一些进展,本文从兰花开花转换和兰花花器官的形成两方面综述了近年来国内外关于兰花花发育分子机理方面的研究进展,主要介绍了文心兰、蝴蝶兰和石斛兰的花发育相关基因,并推测了兰花花被的进化发育过程,认为兰花的DEFICIENS(DEF)类基因在早期经过两轮复制,形成了四类DEF基因,从而促进了花萼与花瓣的分离、侧瓣与唇瓣的分离。该文最后对今后兰花花发育研究的发展方向进行了展望。     

Characterization of SaMADS D from Sinapis alba suggests a dual function of the gene: in inflorescence development and floral organogenesis

SaMADS D gene of Sinapis alba was isolated by screening a cDNA library from young inflorescences with a mixture of MADS-box genes of Antirrhinum majus (DEF, GLO, SQUA) as probe. Amino acid sequence comparison showed a high degree of similarity between the SaMADS D and AGL9, DEFH200, TM5, FBP2 and DEFH 72 gene products. Analysis of the SaMADS D gene expression by in situ hybridization reveals a novel expression pattern for a MADS-box gene and suggests a dual function for this gene: first, as a determinant in inflorescence meristem identity since it starts to be expressed directly beneath the inflorescence meristem at the time of initiation of the first floral meristem, is no longer expressed in the inflorescence meristem forced to revert to production of leafy appendages, and is expressed again when the reverted meristem resumes floral meristem initiation, and, second, as an interactor with genes specifying floral organ identity since it is expressed in the floral meristem from the stage of sepal protrusion.     

A Phalaenopsis variety with floral organs showing C class homeotic transformation and its revertant may enable Phalaenopsis as a potential molecular genetic material

The Orchidaceae is one of the most famous garden plants, and improvement of the orchid is very important in horticulture field. However, molecular information is largely unknown. We found a Phalaenopsis variety harboring floral organs showing C class homeotic change. Column is composed of the anthers with the receptive stigmatic surface just underneath them in wild type. However the C class variety produced column with sepal or petal like structure at the abaxial side. This is the typical abnormality as C class mutants in plants. Further, wild type looking revertant was found from the meristem tissue cultured population. This result strongly indicates the existence of active transposable element in Phalaenopsis genome. This transposon may enable Phalaenopsis as a good material for molecular genetic analysis in Orchidaceae.     

Phalaenopsis bellina (Rchb.f.) Christenson,a segregate from P. violacea Witte (Orchidaceae: Aeridinae)

A reevaluation of floral and vegetative morphology together with data from analysis of floral fragrance and flavonoid co-pigment chemistry suggest that specific status is warranted for the two kinds ofPhalaenopsis violacea Witte known informally as the “Bornean type” and the “Malayan type.”Phalaenopsis violacea var.bellina Rchb.f. is elevated to specific rank, providing a name for the “Bornean type” plants.     

Conversion of leaves into petals in Arabidopsis

More than 200 years ago, Goethe proposed that each of the distinct flower organs represents a modified leaf [1]. Support for this hypothesis has come from genetic studies, which have identified genes required for flower organ identity. These genes have been incorporated into the widely accepted ABC model of flower organ identity, a model that appears generally applicable to distantly related eudicots as well as monocot plants. Strikingly, triple mutants lacking the ABC activities produce leaves in place of flower organs, and this finding demonstrates that these genes are required for floral organ identity [2]. However, the ABC genes are not sufficient for floral organ identity since ectopic expression of these genes failed to convert vegetative leaves into flower organs. This finding suggests that one or more additional factors are required [3, 4]. We have recently shown that SEPALLATA (SEP) represents a new class of floral organ identity genes since the loss of SEP activity results in all flower organs developing as sepals [5]. Here we show that the combined action of the SEP genes, together with the A and B genes, is sufficient to convert leaves into petals.     

Interactions of B-class complex proteins involved in tepal development in Phalaenopsis orchid

In our previous studies, we identified four DEFICIENS (DEF)-like genes and one GLOBOSA (GLO)-like gene involved in floral organ development in Phalaenopsis equestris. Revealing the DNA binding properties and protein-protein interactions of these floral homeotic MADS-box protein complexes (PeMADS) in orchids is crucial for the elucidation of the unique orchid floral morphogenesis. In this study, the interactome of B-class PeMADS proteins was assayed by the yeast two-hybrid system (Y2H) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays. Furthermore, the DNA binding activities of these proteins were assessed by using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). All four DEF-like PeMADS proteins interacted individually with the GLO-like PeMADS6 in Y2H assay, yet with different strengths of interaction. Generally, the PeMADS3/PeMADS4 lineage interacted more strongly with PeMADS6 than the PeMADS2/PeMADS5 lineage did. In addition, independent homodimer formation for both PeMADS4 (DEF-like) and PeMADS6 (GLO-like) was detected. The protein-protein interactions between pairs of PeMADS proteins were further confirmed by using a GST pull-down assay. Furthermore, both the PeMADS4 homodimer and the PeMADS6 homodimer/homomultimer per se were able to bind to the MADS-box protein-binding motif CArG. The heterodimeric complexes PeMADS2-PeMADS6, PeMADS4-PeMADS6 and PeMADS5-PeMADS6 showed CArG binding activity. Taken together, these results suggest that various complexes formed among different combinations of the five B-class PeMADS proteins may increase the complexity of their regulatory functions and thus specify the molecular basis of whorl morphogenesis and combinatorial interactions of floral organ identity genes in orchids.     

The Arabidopsis AGL9 MADS box gene is expressed in young flower primordia

 MADS box genes are likely involved in many different steps of plant development, since their RNAs accumulate in a wide variety of tissues, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers and embryos. In flowers, MADS box genes regulate the early step of specifying floral meristem identity as well as the later step of determining the fate of floral organ primordia. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of a new MADS box gene from Arabidopsis, AGL9. Sequence analyses indicate that AGL9 represents the putative ortholog of the FBP2 and TM5 genes from petunia and tomato, respectively. In situ hybridization analyses show that AGL9 RNA begins to accumulate after the onset of expression of the floral meristem identity genes, but before the activation of the organ identity genes. These data indicate that AGL9 functions early in flower development to mediate between the interaction of these two classes of genes. Later in flower development, AGL9 RNA accumulates in petals, stamens, and carpels, suggesting a role for AGL9 in controlling the development of these organs. Received: 4 May 1997 / Accepted: 14 July 1997     

Four DEF-like MADS box genes displayed distinct floral morphogenetic roles in Phalaenopsis orchid

The complex flower organization of orchids offers an opportunity to discover new variant genes and different levels of complexity in the morphogenesis of flowers. In this study, four B-class Phalaenopsis DEF-like MADS-box genes were identified and characterized, including PeMADS2, PeMADS3, PeMADS4 and PeMADS5. Differential expression profiles of these genes were detected in the floral organs of P. equestris, suggesting distinctive roles in the floral morphogenesis of orchids. Furthermore, expressions of these genes were varied to different extents in the peloric mutants with lip-like petals. Expression of PeMADS4 was in lips and columns of wild type, and it extended to the lip-like petals in the peloric mutant. Expression of PeMADS5 was mainly in petals and to a lesser extent in columns in the wild type, whereas it was completely eliminated in the peloric mutant. Disruption of the PeMADS5 promoter region of the peloric mutant was detected at nucleotide +312 relative to the upstream of translational start codon, suggesting that a DNA rearrangement has occurred in the peloric mutant. Genomic structure analysis of the PeMADS5 showed that the exon length was conserved in exons 1-6, similar to DEF-like genes of other plants. Collectively, this is the first report that four DEF-like MADS genes were identified in a single monocotyledonous species and that they may play distinctive morphogenetic roles in the floral development of an orchid.     

利用抑制性差减杂交技术筛选草原龙胆花器官发育特性基因

目的:探讨草原龙胆花发育的分子机制,为进一步阐述花器官同源异型、属于MADS-box基因家族的一系列基因在调节开花植物花瓣和雄蕊的发育中的作用奠定基础。方法:以草原龙胆不同发育时期的花器官(萼片、花瓣、雄蕊、雌蕊)原基的cDNA作为试验方(tester),以茎叶组织的cDNA作为驱动方(driver),利用抑制性消减杂交技术构建了一个富集花器官发育特性基因的抑制性差减cDNA文库。对抑制性差减cDNA文库进行筛选、测序及Blast同源性比较。结果:获得了与花器官发育相关的特异性基因。结论:构建了抑制性差减cDNA文库,为克隆草原龙胆花器官发育特异性基因全长序列奠定了基础。