Optimization of TaDREB3 gene expression in transgenic barley using cold‐inducible promoters

Constitutive over‐expression of the TaDREB3 gene in barley improved frost tolerance of transgenic plants at the vegetative stage of plant development, but leads to stunted phenotypes and 3‐ to 6‐week delays in flowering compared to control plants. In this work, two cold‐inducible promoters with contrasting properties, the WRKY71 gene promoter from rice and the Cor39 gene promoter from durum wheat, were applied to optimize expression of TaDREB3. The aim of the work was to increase plant frost tolerance and to decrease or prevent negative developmental phenotypes observed during constitutive expression of TaDREB3. The OsWRKY71 and TdCor39 promoters had low‐to‐moderate basal activity and were activated by cold treatment in leaves, stems and developing spikes of transgenic barley and rice. Expression of the TaDREB3 gene, driven by either of the tested promoters, led to a significant improvement in frost tolerance. The presence of the functional TaDREB3 protein in transgenic plants was confirmed by the detection of strong up‐regulation of cold‐responsive target genes. The OsWRKY71 promoter–driven TaDREB3 provides stronger activation of the same target genes than the TdCor39 promoter. Analysis of the development of transgenic plants in the absence of stress revealed small or no differences in plant characteristics and grain yield compared with wild‐type plants. The WRKY71–TaDREB3 promoter–transgene combination appears to be a promising tool for the enhancement of cold and frost tolerance in crop plants but field evaluation will be needed to confirm that negative development phenotypes have been controlled.     

Changes in apoplastic peroxidase activity and cell wall composition are associated with cold‐induced morpho‐anatomical plasticity of wheat leaves

• Temperate grasses, such as wheat, become compact plants with small thick leaves after exposure to low temperature. These responses are associated with cold hardiness, but their underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we analyse the effects of low temperature on leaf morpho‐anatomical structure, cell wall composition and activity of extracellular peroxidases, which play key roles in cell elongation and cell wall thickening, in two wheat cultivars with contrasting cold‐hardening ability.
• A combined microscopy and biochemical approach was applied to study actively growing leaves of winter (ProINTA‐Pincén) and spring (Buck‐Patacón) wheat developed under constant warm (25 °C) or cool (5 °C) temperature.
• Cold‐grown plants had shorter leaves but longer inter‐stomatal epidermal cells than warm‐grown plants. They had thicker walls in metaxylem vessels and mestome sheath cells, paralleled with accumulation of wall components, predominantly hemicellulose. These effects were more pronounced in the winter cultivar (Pincén). Cold also induced a sharp decrease in apoplastic peroxidase activity within the leaf elongating zone of Pincén, and a three‐fold increase in the distal mature zone of the leaf. This was consistent with the enhanced cell length and thicker cell walls in this cultivar at 5 °C.
• The different response to low temperature of apoplastic peroxidase activity and hemicellulose between leaf zones and cultivar types suggests they might play a central role in the development of cold‐induced compact morphology and cold hardening. New insights are presented on the potential temperature‐driven role of peroxidases and hemicellulose in cell wall dynamics of grasses.

     

CHO细胞表达系统启动子

中国仓鼠卵巢（Chinese hamsters ovary,CHO）细胞是目前重组蛋白质生产的首选宿主细胞。利用CHO细胞生产重组蛋白质,启动子是启动转基因转录的关键。核心启动子是RNA聚合酶与转录起始复合物集合的部位,分为集中型和分散型两种类型。目前,CHO细胞常用的启动子为病毒启动子、异源启动子、内源性和诱导性启动子等。也可以利用合成生物学及相关的数据库,人工设计合成启动子及鉴定新型启动子。本文综述了CHO细胞常用的启动子以及人工设计的合成启动子在CHO细胞中重组蛋白质表达方面的进展,为哺乳动物细胞选择合适的启动子,保证蛋白质表达量最大化,并确保长时间表达稳定性提供参考。     

植物耐冷性基因工程

温度决定物种的分布,同时还影响作物的产量和品质。植物耐冷的机制涉及到许多方面,包括膜脂组成的变化、可混溶溶质的积累、抗氧化酶活性的提高、低温相关基因的诱导表达等。由于植物的耐冷性状由多基因控制,采用传统的育种方法往往难以取得理想的结果,而植物基因工程技术的发展及应用则提供了另外可能的途径,可以通过转移耐冷性状形成的关键基因从而对植物进行改良。本文从膜脂组成、可混溶溶质、抗冻蛋白、抗氧化酶和诱导植物低温相关基因的转录因子等方面对植物耐冷性的基因工程研究进行了综述,以期为植物育种者和从事冷胁迫机制研究的工作者提供参考。     

CHO细胞表达系统启动子

中国仓鼠卵巢（Chinese hamsters ovary,CHO）细胞是目前重组蛋白质生产的首选宿主细胞。利用CHO细胞生产重组蛋白质,启动子是启动转基因转录的关键。核心启动子是RNA聚合酶与转录起始复合物集合的部位,分为集中型和分散型两种类型。目前,CHO细胞常用的启动子为病毒启动子、异源启动子、内源性和诱导性启动子等。也可以利用合成生物学及相关的数据库,人工设计合成启动子及鉴定新型启动子。本文综述了CHO细胞常用的启动子以及人工设计的合成启动子在CHO细胞中重组蛋白质表达方面的进展,为哺乳动物细胞选择合适的启动子,保证蛋白质表达量最大化,并确保长时间表达稳定性提供参考。     

植物环境响应启动子的诱导元件及转录因子

光、温度、水分等环境因素影响植物的生长发育,植物可以通过启动子中顺式作用元件与转录因子的相互协调作用,对这些信号产生响应,调控基因表达。本文综述了光、温度、水分诱导表达启动子中的顺式作用元件及相关转录因子研究的最新进展,从分子水平上探讨了环境因子诱导的基因表达调控,对研究植物适应环境的机制具有一定的意义。