Identification and Expression Analysis of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">YABBY1</Emphasis> Gene in Wild Tomato Species

The YABBY1 genes were identified in one cultivated and ten wild tomato species of the Lycopersicon section of the Solanum genus. The structural analysis of genes and encoded proteins was carried out, and the YABBY1 interspecies functional conservation in tomato was proposed. It was shown that the YABBY1 gene sequence can be used for phylogenetic dividing of tomatoes into self- and cross-pollinated species, as well as green- and red-fruited species. The significant YABBY1 expression level was detected in S. peruvianum fruits, indicating the possibility of abaxial properties preservation in the fruit skin. The obtained data confirmed the conservation of the YABBY1-mediated organ polarity control during the process of the evolutionary diversification and domestication of tomato species.     

Asymmetric leaf development and blade expansion in Arabidopsis are mediated by KANADI and YABBY activities

Asymmetric development of plant lateral organs is initiated by a partitioning of organ primordia into distinct domains along their adaxial/abaxial axis. Two primary determinants of abaxial cell fate are members of the KANADI and YABBY gene families. Progressive loss of KANADI activity in loss-of-function mutants results in progressive transformation of abaxial cell types into adaxial ones and a correlated loss of lamina formation. Novel, localized planes of blade expansion occur in some kanadi loss-of-function genotypes and these ectopic lamina outgrowths are YABBY dependent. We propose that the initial asymmetric leaf development is regulated primarily by mutual antagonism between KANADI and PHB-like genes, which is translated into polar YABBY expression. Subsequently, polar YABBY expression contributes both to abaxial cell fate and to abaxial/adaxial juxtaposition-mediated lamina expansion.     

Differentiating Arabidopsis Shoots from Leaves by Combined YABBY Activities

In seed plants, leaves are born on radial shoots, but unlike shoots, they are determinate dorsiventral organs made of flat lamina. YABBY genes are found only in seed plants and in all cases studied are expressed primarily in lateral organs and in a polar manner. Despite their simple expression, Arabidopsis thaliana plants lacking all YABBY gene activities have a wide range of morphological defects in all lateral organs as well as the shoot apical meristem (SAM). Here, we show that leaves lacking all YABBY activities are initiated as dorsiventral appendages but fail to properly activate lamina programs. In particular, the activation of most CINCINNATA-class TCP genes does not commence, SAM-specific programs are reactivated, and a marginal leaf domain is not established. Altered distribution of auxin signaling and the auxin efflux carrier PIN1, highly reduced venation, initiation of multiple cotyledons, and gradual loss of the SAM accompany these defects. We suggest that YABBY functions were recruited to mold modified shoot systems into flat plant appendages by translating organ polarity into lamina-specific programs that include marginal auxin flow and activation of a maturation schedule directing determinate growth.     

Members of the YABBY gene family specify abaxial cell fate in Arabidopsis.

Lateral organs produced by shoot apical and flower meristems exhibit a fundamental abaxial-adaxial asymmetry. We describe three members of the YABBY gene family, FILAMENTOUS FLOWER, YABBY2 and YABBY3, isolated on the basis of homology to CRABS CLAW. Each of these genes is expressed in a polar manner in all lateral organ primordia produced from the apical and flower meristems. The expression of these genes is precisely correlated with abaxial cell fate in mutants in which abaxial cell fates are found ectopically, reduced or eliminated. Ectopic expression of either FILAMENTOUS FLOWER or YABBY3 is sufficient to specify the development of ectopic abaxial tissues in lateral organs. Conversely, loss of polar expression of these two genes results in a loss of polar differentiation of tissues in lateral organs. Taken together, these observations indicate that members of this gene family are responsible for the specification of abaxial cell fate in lateral organs of Arabidopsis. Furthermore, ectopic expression studies suggest that ubiquitous abaxial cell fate and maintenance of a functional apical meristem are incompatible.     

Molecular characterization the <Emphasis Type="Italic">YABBY</Emphasis> gene family in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> and expression analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">OsYABBY1</Emphasis>

Members of the YABBY gene family have a general role that promotes abaxial cell fate in a model eudicot, Arabidopsis thaliana. To understand the function of YABBY genes in monocots, we have isolated all YABBY genes in Oryza sativa (rice), and revealed the spatial and temporal expression pattern of one of these genes, OsYABBY1. In rice, eight YABBY genes constitute a small gene family and are classified into four groups according to sequence similarity, exon-intron structure, and organ-specific expression patterns. OsYABBY1 shows unique spatial expression patterns that have not previously been reported for other YABBY genes, so far. OsYABBY1 is expressed in putative precursor cells of both the mestome sheath in the large vascular bundle and the abaxial sclerenchyma in the leaves. In the flower, OsYABBY1 is specifically expressed in the palea and lemma from their inception, and is confined to several cell layers of these organs in the later developmental stages. The OsYABBY1-expressing domains are closely associated with cells that subsequently differentiate into sclerenchymatous cells. These findings suggest that the function of OsYABBY1 is involved in regulating the differentiation of a few specific cell types and is unrelated to polar regulation of lateral organ development.     

A rice <Emphasis Type="Italic">YABBY</Emphasis> gene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">OsYABBY4</Emphasis>, preferentially expresses in developing vascular tissue

Developmental gene families have diversified during land plant evolution. The primary role of YABBY gene family is promoting abaxial fate in model eudicot, Arabidopsis thaliana. However recent results suggest that roles of YABBY genes are not conserved in the angiosperms. In this paper, a rice YABBY gene was isolated, and its expression patterns were analyzed in detail. Sequence characterization and phylogenetic analyses showed the gene is OsYABBY4, which is group-classified into FIL/YAB3 subfamily. Beta-glucuronidase reporter assay and in situ analysis consistently revealed that OsYABBY4 was expressed in the meristems and developing vascular tissue of rice, predominantly in the phloem tissue, suggesting that the function of the rice gene is different from those of its counterparts in eudicots. OsYABBY4 may have been recruited to regulate the development of vasculature in rice. However, transgenic Arabidopsis plants ectopically expressing OsYABBY4 behaved very like those over-expressing FIL or YAB3 with abaxialized lateral organs, suggesting the OsYABBY4 protein domain is conserved with its Arabidopsis counterparts in sequences. Our results also indicate that the functional diversification of OsYABBY4 may be associated with the divergent spatial-temporal expression patterns, and YABBY family members may have preserved different expression regulatory systems and functions during the evolution of different kinds of species.     

小麦TaCRC基因的克隆及表达分析

以小麦心皮为材料,利用RT-PCR方法分离出一个新的YABBY基因TaCRC,并利用Northern杂交对TaCRC在不同组织中的表达模式进行分析.结果显示:该基因全长1 105 bp,编码199个氨基酸.TaCRC具有YABBY家族典型的结构域,即N端含有C2C2锌指结构域,C端含有YABBY结构域.其氨基酸序列与水稻的 DROOPING LEAF(DL)、拟南芥的CRABS CLAW(CRC)和金鱼草的AmCRC的氨基酸具有较高的一致性.TaCRC在心皮中特异表达,类似于拟南芥的CRC的表达模式.研究表明,TaCRC是小麦中的CRC同源基因.     

Isolation and Characterization of IaYABBY2 Gene from Incarvillea arguta

The establishment of ad-abaxial polarity is an important characteristic of the development of lateral organs in plants. YABBY genes encode higher plant-specific nuclear proteins which play critical roles in promoting abaxial cell fate. IaYABBY2 (IaYAB2, Genbank accession no. KF250432), isolated from Incarvillea arguta, is a member of YABBY gene family. Sequence characterization and phylogenetic analyses show that IaYABBY2 is a member of the YAB2 subfamily of Arabidopsis thaliana. Subcellular localization analysis indicates that IaYABBY2 is localized in the nucleus. Ectopic expression of IaYABBY2 in Arabidopsis plants resulted in the partial abaxialization of adaxial epidermises of leaves and sepals and development defect of florescence. The transgenic lines also showed higher level of anthocyanin content and photosynthesis capability after differential environment stress. These results indicate that the IaYABBY2 functions in the ad-abaxial polarity, development of shoot apical meristem, and environmental stress.