General Information

A novel cDNA clone encoding a COR413-like gene was isolated by suppression subtraction hybridization and cDNA library screening from sea-island cotton (Gossypium barbadense). This gene (designated as GbCOR413, Accession number: AY761065) has a total length of 893 bp with an open reading frame of 600 bp, encoding a predicated polypeptide of 200 amino acids with a molecular weight of 22.74 kDa and a predicated pI of 9.2. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that this gene belonged to a novel stress-regulated multi-spanning transmembrane protein family without signal peptide. By means of semi-quantities RT-PCR analysis, the expression of GbCOR413 under short-term cold treatment at 4°C, water submergence and abscic acid treatment was investigated. Our studies suggested that the cloned gene was a new member of COR gene family which was slowly responsive to cold stress in cotton. Jin Wang and Kai-Jing Zuo are co-first authors of this paper.     

Purification and expression of a protein elicitor from Alternaria tenuissima and elicitor-mediated defence responses in tobacco

A new protein elicitor, PeaT1, was purified from the mycelium of Alternaria tenuissima by column chromatography. PeaT1 was identified as a heat-stable and acidic protein. It induced systemic acquired resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in tobacco plants but did not cause hypersensitive response. The elicitor-encoding gene was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends method. Sequence analysis revealed that the cDNA is 624 bp in length and the open reading frame encodes for a polypeptide of 207 amino acids with a nascent polypeptide-associated complex domain. The peaT1 gene was cloned into the expression vector pET-28a and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant elicitor also triggered defence responses in intact tobacco plants. The availability of the pure protein offers the possibility to isolate the corresponding receptor and links it to the downstream signalling pathway.     

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.     

Identification and expression analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">CjLTI</Emphasis>, a novel low temperature responsive gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caragana jubata</Emphasis>

Using rapid amplification of cDNA ends, a full length cDNA (CjLTI) was cloned from apical buds of Caragana jubata, a plant species that grows under extreme cold. The cDNA obtained was 573 bp long consisting of an open reading frame of 351 bp encoding 116 amino acids. Homology analysis did not exhibit significant similarity with any sequence at NCBI database, therefore it was deduced as a novel gene. Secondary structure analysis suggested that the deduced CjLTI contained 25.86% α-helices, 4.31% β-turns, 6.90% extended strands, and 62.93% random coils. The hydropathy profile suggested CjLTI to be a hydrophobic protein having characteristic features of signal peptides at N-terminus. The gene exhibited down-regulation at 5 min of exposure to low temperature (LT, 4 ± 3°C) followed by a strong up-regulation after 15 min and onwards. Methyl jasmonate (MJ) lead to up-regulation of CjLTI starting at 5 min onwards. The gene exhibited up- and down-regulation of expression pattern in response to abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA). Mild drought stress slightly up-regulated gene expression and at severe drought (up to 115% reduction in leaf water potential) slight down-regulation of gene expression was observed. These results suggested CjLTI to be a LT responsive gene wherein MJ, ABA and SA pathways might be involved in regulating the gene expression.     

Isolation and functional characterization of DNA damage repair protein (DRT) from Lepidium latifolium L.

We have isolated and in silico characterized a cold regulated plastocyanin encoding gene from Lepidium latifolium L designated as LlaDRT. Its cDNA sequence (JN214346) consists of a 504 bp ORF, 48 and 205 bp of 5′ and 3′ UTR regions, respectively encoding a protein of 17.07 KDa and pI 4.95. In silico and phylogenetic analysis of LlaDRT suggested that the protein has features of a typical plastocyanin family member and of a nearest relative of the predominant isoform of Arabidopsis (PETE2) plastocyanin. Validation of stress response of LlaDRT by qPCR under different abiotic stress regulators viz salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, calcium chloride, ethylene and abscisic acid revealed its possible regulation and crosstalk amongst different pathways.     

Characterization of gene expression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">QM</Emphasis> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caragana jubata</Emphasis>, a plant species that grows under extreme cold

Caragana [Caragana jubata (Pall.) Poir] is a temperate plant that thrives well under extremes of cold in high altitude of Himalaya and hence the plant is expected to be a source of genes that might play an important role in tolerance to low temperature (LT). In order to identify LT inducible gene(s), differential display of mRNA (DD) was performed using the apical buds growing under snow as well as growing in the near vicinity without snow, and a LT inducible QM gene (CjQM) homologue was identified. Realizing the importance of QM gene (which encodes human Wilms’ tumor suppressor QM protein) in aggregation of 40 and 60S ribosomal subunit and that not much has been reported on this gene in plant systems in relation to its relationship with LT, full length cDNA of CjQM was cloned through rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The gene (977 bp), encoded by small gene family, had an open reading frame of 651 bp and was found to be intronless. The gene exhibited up-regulation within 20 min of exposure to LT and abscisic acid (ABA), but no significant change in gene expression was observed in response to drought stress (DS), salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) application. Up-regulation of CjQM was obtained in the tissues growing in situ under snow. Non-responsiveness of CjQM towards DS, SA and MJ, but up-regulation in response to LT and ABA suggested a specific regulation of the gene in Caragana under varied cues.     

葡萄风信子MaANS基因及启动子的克隆与分析

该研究根据转录组测序结果,在葡萄风信子(Muscari armeniacum) ‘亚美尼亚’中克隆到花青素合酶(ANS)基因的cDNA与DNA序列,该基因命名为MaANS。采用荧光实时定量分析MaANS时空表达模型,同时利用染色体步移法克隆到MaANS上游1 044 bp的一段序列。信息学分析表明：MaANS开放阅读框为1 065 bp,编码355个氨基酸;DNA与cDNA的一致性为89.62%,DNA序列在ATG下游515~594 bp之间插入1个79 bp内含子;启动子序列在-70 bp位置有1个TATA-box,有多个光响应元件及MYB结合位点等。荧光实时定量分析表明,MaANS基因在花中优势表达,并且在完全着色期表达量最高。该研究结果为深入研究MaANS基因功能、分析葡萄风信子着色机理奠定了基础。     

Molecular cloning and characterization of cold-responsive gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cbrci35</Emphasis> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsella bursa-pastoris</Emphasis>

A new rare cold-inducible (RCI) gene designated Cbrci35 was cloned from Capsella bursa-pastoris, an edible wild herb, using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The full-length cDNA of Cbrci35 (Database Accession No.: AY566573) was 1300 bp and contained a 978 bp ORF encoding a precursor of 326 amino acid residues with a 23 amino acids signal peptide. The predicted Cbrci35 protein contained a peroxidase active site and proximal heme-ligand signatures, an RGD cell attachment sequence motif and two leucine zipper pattern motifs. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that Cbrci35 has a high level of similarity with RCI genes from Arabidopsis thaliana and peroxidases genes from other plants. RT-PCR analysis revealed that Cbrci35 expressed only in root. A cold acclimation assay showed that Cbrci35 was expressed immediately after cold triggering, but this expression was transient, suggesting that it concerns cold acclimation. But expression was not induced exposed to dehydration, salt stress or abscisic acid, indicating that it might be subjected specifically to cold regulation. These results indicate that Cbrci35 is an analogue of RCI genes and may participate in cold-response or increasing the freezing tolerance of plants.     

柠条锦鸡儿F3H基因克隆及功能分析

柠条锦鸡儿为豆科灌木,对各种环境胁迫具有较强的适应能力,类黄酮是天然的抗氧化剂,花青素属类黄酮化合物,逆境胁迫会影响植物体内花青素的合成,而黄烷酮3-羟化酶(F3H)是花青素生物合成所必需的一种关键酶。该研究成功分离克隆了柠条锦鸡儿的F3H基因,命名为CkF3H。CkF3H基因的开放阅读框(ORF)为1095 bp,编码364个氨基酸,推测的蛋白质分子量为41.3 kDa,理论等电点为5.9。生物信息学分析发现,CkF3H基因序列与其它植物F3H有较高的一致性,推测CkF3H蛋白与其它植物F3H蛋白具有相似的功能。利用染色体步移法克隆得到CkF3H起始密码子ATG上游468 bp的启动子序列,PlantCARE软件分析表明,该序列具有启动子的基本元件CAAT-box和TATA-box以及多种与逆境胁迫相关的顺式调控元件。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,CkF3H在柠条的根、茎和叶中均有表达,没有组织特异性;CkF3H的表达受低温、高盐、干旱和高温胁迫的诱导,并且在低温胁迫下,CkF3H的表达还受到光周期的影响。综上所述,研究结果表明CkF3H基因在柠条锦鸡儿适应低温、高盐、干旱和高温胁迫的过程中发挥作用。     

沙田柚无机焦磷酸酶基因的cDNA克隆及序列分析

植物自交不亲和性是植物生殖过程中普遍存在的一种现象,是植物特异性识别并拒绝自身花粉或亲缘关系很相近的花粉的一种遗传机制。无机焦磷酸酶(inorganic pyrophosphatase,IPPase)在植物生长发育方面起重要作用。该研究根据沙田柚花柱消减文库中EST序列(无机焦磷酸酶基因内部片段),设计了2对特异引物5'-GSP1,5'-n GSP1,3'-GSP2 and 3'-n GSP2,通过SMART-RACE PCR技术从所构建的沙田柚花柱抑制性消减文库中克隆了沙田柚无机焦磷酸酶基因的c DNA全长序列,利用Blastn、DNAman和Expasy软件对所克隆的基因进行同源性分析,以及基因编码的氨基酸的分子量、等电点、疏水性等理化性质分析。结果表明:IPPase基因c DNA全长为1 136 bp(Gen Bank登录号为KF990474),开放阅读框(ORF)全长为654 bp,共编码217个氨基酸,包括170 bp 5'UTR和312 bp的3'UTR;编码的蛋白质的分子量为24.4 k Da,等电点为5.96;蛋白结构域分析显示沙田柚IPPase与焦磷酸酶具有相同的保守结构域;对沙田柚IPPase蛋白质序列进行疏水性分析,结果表明沙田柚IPPase基因编码的肽链中疏水性最大值约为3.21,最小值约为-2.98,属于亲水性蛋白,无跨膜区域;Blastn搜索的结果显示,沙田柚IPPase基因序列与多种植物的IPP基因高度同源;序列分析表明,沙田柚IPPase基因核苷酸的同源性与毛果杨(Populus trichocarpa)和橡胶树(Hevea brasiliensis)IPPase基因均为87%;氨基酸序列与克莱门柚(Citrus clementina)无机焦磷酸酶完全一致。该研究结果可为深入研究无机焦磷酸酶在沙田柚自交不亲和中的作用机理提供基础。     

Molecular cloning and characterization of an inducible RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">GhRdRP</Emphasis>, from cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> L.)

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) cDNA, designated as Gossypium hirsutum RdRP (GhRdRP) was cloned from cotton by rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR). The full-length cDNA was 3,672 bp in size and encoded an open reading frame (ORF) of 1,110 amino acids which contained the RdRP conserved functional domain and the signature motif DbDGD. Amino acid sequence alignment indicated that GhRdRP shared the highest identity (66.37%) with AtRdRP1 and had homology with other plant, fungal, yeast and nematode RdRPs. The corresponding genomic DNA containing five exons and four introns, was isolated and analyzed. Also a 5′-flanking region was cloned, and a group of putative cis-acting elements were identified. Southern blot analysis revealed a single copy of the GhRdRP gene in cotton genome. The expression analysis by semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that GhRdRP was induced by salicylic acid (SA), 5-chloroSA (5-CSA) and fungal infection of Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. The cloning and characterization of the GhRdRP gene will be useful for further studies of biological roles of GhRdRP in plants.     

油菜BnMKK4全长基因的克隆及表达分析

从‘陇油6号’油菜中克隆得到了一个新的BnMKK4基因的cDNA,全长1317bp,其中包括993bp的开放阅读框,159bp的5’非翻译区（5^1UTR）,165bp的3。非翻译区（3’UTR）。与拟南芥AtMKK4有很高的同源性,因此命名为BnMKK4（GenBank登录号JF268686）。该基因编码330个氨基酸的蛋白质,分子量36．5kDa,等电点为9．01。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示该基因表达受低温胁迫和盐胁迫的诱导,表明该基因在油菜适应低温胁迫和盐胁迫的过程中发挥作用。     

毛尖紫萼藓抗旱相关基因Gp-LEA的克隆与表达分析

以毛尖紫萼藓干旱cDNA文库中获得的一段与LEA基因同源性较高的EST序列为基础,采用RACE技术分离该基因cDNA全长序列,命名为Gp-LEA。Gp-LEA基因的cDNA全长814bp,开放阅读框456bp,编码含151个氨基酸蛋白质。生物信息学分析结果显示,Gp-LEA蛋白为稳定蛋白,分子质量为16.612kD,理论等电点（pI）为5.06,含有LEA₂功能结构域,不属于跨膜蛋白且不存在信号肽。系统发生分析表明,Gp-LEA基因编码蛋白与花旗松LEA蛋白亲缘关系最近。荧光定量PCR分析显示,Gp-LEA基因在复水和快速干旱模式下均能表达。推测Gp-LEA基因在毛尖紫萼藓的复水和干旱过程中起着重要作用。     

黑毛雪兔子通气组织发育相关基因ShCTR1的克隆及表达

黑毛雪兔子(Saussurea inversa Raab-Straube)是一种典型的高山植物,具有发达的通气组织。该研究以黑毛雪兔子为材料,利用同源克隆和RACE技术克隆了通气组织形成相关基因(ShCTR1),并对其进行序列分析、系统进化分析、表达分析和亚细胞定位分析,以探讨该基因的功能及其与通气组织的关系。结果表明:(1)成功克隆获得ShCTR1基因cDNA全长为2891 bp(NCBI登录号为:ON081649),包含2550 bp的开放阅读框,编码849个氨基酸,理论等电点5.90,分子式C_(4066)H_(6417)N_(1159)O_(1268)S_(43),为疏水蛋白,无跨膜结构。(2)系统进化树分析显示,黑毛雪兔子ShCTR1与菜蓟(Cynara cardunculus L.)CcCTR1的氨基酸序列相似度最高;非编码区序列分析发现ShCTR1基因含有大量的光响应元件,表明ShCTR1基因可能参与对紫外胁迫的响应。(3)实时荧光定量分析显示,ShCTR1基因在根、茎和叶中均有表达,且在根中的表达量最高;在紫外、低温和低氧胁迫下,ShCTR1基因的表达量均上调,证明ShCTR1基因参与了对以上3种环境胁迫的响应。(4)亚细胞定位显示,ShCTR1主要分布于细胞核。研究推测,黑毛雪兔子ShCTR1基因可能在通气组织的形成以及对逆境胁迫的响应中具有重要作用。     

中间锦鸡儿CiMYB68基因克隆及表达分析

该研究以中间锦鸡儿(Caragana intermedia)为材料,利用RACE技术克隆了CiMYB68基因的全长序列。对CiMYB68的基因组DNA和cDNA全长分析显示,CiMYB68基因无内含子,开放阅读框为852bp,编码284个氨基酸。预测CiMYB68基因编码的蛋白质等电点为8.95,分子量约为31 459.4Da。序列比对和系统进化分析表明,该蛋白和大豆的GmMYB68一致性最高,达到67%。构建了CiMYB68基因与GFP融合表达质粒,激光共聚焦显微镜观察发现,融合蛋白定位于细胞核。用实时荧光定量PCR技术对在不同胁迫条件下CiMYB68基因的表达检测结果表明,在干旱和低温处理下CiMYB68均受到不同程度的诱导,暗示CiMYB68基因可能与中间锦鸡儿响应逆境胁迫有关。