Characterization of two members of the maize gene family, Incw3 and Incw4, encoding cell-wall invertases

Two maize putative cell-wall invertase genes (Incw3 and Incw4) have been isolated by screening a genomic DNA library (Zea mays L. W22) using the cDNA probes encoding the two maize cell-wall invertases Incw1 and Incw2. The Incw3 and Incw4 genes contain six exons/five introns and five exons/four introns, respectively. The protein sequences deduced from both genes revealed a beta-fructosidase motif and a cysteine catalytic site known to be conserved in invertase genes. A detailed analysis of the protein and nucleotide sequences provides evidence that the Incw3 and the Incw4 genes encode putative cell-wall invertases. Furthermore, the isoelectric point deduced from the INCW4 protein sequence suggested that the Incw4 gene may encode a unique type of cell-wall invertase unbound in the apoplast. Gene expression studies using RT-PCR and in-situ RT-PCR hybridization showed that the Incw3 expression is organ/tissue-specific and developmentally regulated. In contrast, the Incw4 gene is constitutively expressed in all vegetative and reproductive tissues tested.     

水稻基因APRT的克隆及其与温敏核雄性不育的关系

在拟南芥中腺嘌呤磷酸核糖转移酶基因(APRT)突变导致植株雄性不育.本文首次报道从水稻(Oryza sativa subsp.indica)中克隆了基因APRT(GenBank登录号AY238894),并将其定位于水稻第4染色体的一个BAC克隆(AL606604)的58 000 bp至63 000 bp区域.该基因长4 220 bp(起始密码子至终止密码子),含7个外显子、6个内含子,编码的APRT蛋白长212个氨基酸残基,与其他物种来源的APRT序列存在很高的同源性.与大麦、小麦、拟南芥1型及其2型的该蛋白同源性分别为54.9%、54.9%、49.6%和59.5%.经保守结构域搜索发现该蛋白中存在APRT催化结构域.从DNA、mRNA两个水平分析了该基因与水稻温敏核雄性不育(TGMS)的关系,结果表明:受温度诱导,水稻"安农S-1"APRT基因的表达变化可能与温敏核雄性不育表现型具相关性.     

Characterization, physical location and expression of the genes encoding calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases in maize (Zea mays L.)

The maize genomic sequence and cDNA encoding a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase homolog were isolated and identified. The deduced peptide (MCK2) from this cDNA shared high amino acid identity (91.2%) with maize MCK1. These two genes were physically mapped onto chromosomes by fluorescence in situ hybridization using the first introns of the genes as gene-specific probes. While the MCK1 gene was assigned to a locus on the long arm of chromosome 9, the MCK2 gene was localized to a locus on the long arm of chromosome 1. Both of these genes were expressed in roots, leaves, stems and flowers, and the expression patterns of MCK were verified by RNA in situ hybridization. These results indicated that MCK expression is temporally and spatially regulated during maize growth and development.     

丹参咖啡酸-O-甲基转移酶基因(SmCOMT1)的克隆及其分析

依据丹参转录组数据库得到的咖啡酸-O-甲基转移酶基因序列设计特异性引物,采用RT-PCR方法从丹参分离得到一个新的COMT基因,命名为SmCOMT1(GenBank注册号为JF693491）。该基因cDNA全长1 158 bp,包含一个长为1 095 bp的开放阅读框,编码364个氨基酸。SmCOMT1 gDNA序列长2 275 bp,包含4个外显子和3个内含子。序列分析结果表明,SmCOMT1编码的多肽具有COMT的序列保守元件,与同科植物罗勒COMT编码的多肽高度同源,同源性达到89%。系统进化树分析表明,SmCOMT1与双子叶植物的COMT亲缘关系较近。qRT-PCR结果表明,SmCOMT1基因在丹参不同组织器官中差异表达,其中茎中的表达量最高,并且其表达受茉莉酸甲酯和病原菌的诱导,显示SmCOMT1基因可能在植物防御反应中发挥作用。     

丹参ACC氧化酶基因(SmACO1)的克隆与序列分析

依据丹参转录组数据库序列信息,采用RT-PCR和染色体步移技术从丹参中首次克隆得到ACC氧化酶基因,命名为SmACO1(GenBank注册号为JQ026111)。该基因gDNA序列长1 347 bp,由3个外显子和2个内含子组成;cDNA全长1 117 bp,包含945 bp的开放阅读框,编码314个氨基酸残基。生物信息学分析显示SmACO1为无信号肽与跨膜结构域,且定位于细胞质的稳定亲水蛋白,含有Fe²⁺依赖的加氧酶结构域。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,SmACO1基因在丹参不同组织器官中差异表达,花中表达量最高;其表达受到病原菌和茉莉酸甲酯的诱导,表明SmACO1基因可能在植物防御反应中发挥作用。     

Nucleotide sequence of the triosephosphate isomerase gene from Aspergillus nidulans: implications for a differential loss of introns

A functional cDNA from Aspergillus nidulans encoding triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) was isolated by its ability to complement a tpi1 mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This cDNA was used to obtain the corresponding gene, tpiA. Alignment of the cDNA and genomic DNA nucleotide sequences indicated that tpiA contains five introns. The intron positions in the tpiA gene were compared with those in the TPI genes of human, chicken, and maize. One intron is present at an identical position in all four organisms, two other introns are located in similar positions in A. nidulans and maize, and the remaining two introns are unique to A. nidulans. These Aspergillus-specific introns are located in regions of the protein that were predicted to be interrupted by introns based on analysis of a Go plot of chicken TPI. These comparisons are discussed in relation to the evolution of introns within TPI genes.     

Zea mays ZmMybst1 cDNA,encodes a single Myb-repeat protein with the VASHAQKYF motif

A cDNA clone from a 4 DAP dissected maize embryo sac encoding a novel Zea mays single-repeat Myb protein is reported here. This full-length cDNA contains an ORF of 948 bp. The gene ZmMybst1 contains two introns (1166 and 706 bp) and is a single copy gene. The ZmMybst1 protein shares high sequence identity with the potato Mybst1 protein (58%). Northern blot, RT-PCR and electronic northern analysis shows that ZmMybst1 is expressed in endosperm between 4 and 30 DAP, coinciding with the period of aleurone cell differentiation and development.     

Discovery of new human beta-defensins using a genomics-based approach

Epithelial beta-defensins are broad-spectrum cationic antimicrobial peptides that also act as chemokines for adaptive immune cells. In the human genome, all known defensin genes cluster to a <1 Mb region of chromosome 8p22-p23. To identify new defensin genes, the DNA sequence from a contig of large-insert genomic clones from the region containing human beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2) was analyzed for the presence of defensin genes. This sequence survey identified a novel beta-defensin, termed HBD-3. The HBD-3 gene contains two exons, is located 13 kb upstream from the HBD-2 gene, and it is transcribed in the same direction. A partial HBD-3 cDNA clone was amplified from cDNA derived from IL-1beta induced fetal lung tissue. The cDNA sequence encodes for a 67 amino acid peptide that is approximately 43% identical to HBD-2 and shares the beta-defensin six cysteine motif. By PCR analysis of two commercial cDNA panels, HBD-3 expression was detected in adult heart, skeletal muscle, placenta and in fetal thymus. From RT-PCR experiments, HBD-3 expression was observed in skin, esophagus, gingival keratinocytes, placenta and trachea. Furthermore, in fetal lung explants and gingival keratinocytes, HBD-3 mRNA expression was induced by IL-1beta. Additional sequence analysis identified the HE2 (human epididymis secretory protein) gene 17 kb upstream from the HBD-3 gene. One splice variant of this gene (HE2beta1) encodes a beta-defensin consensus cysteine motif, suggesting it represents a defensin gene product. HE2beta1 mRNA expression was detected in gingival keratinocytes and bronchial epithelia using RT-PCR analysis. The discovery of these novel beta-defensin genes may allow further understanding of the role of defensins in host immunity at mucosal surfaces.     

大熊猫Sjogren综合症/硬皮病自身抗原1基因(SSSCA1)的克隆及比较

硬皮病或称系统性硬化症(systemic sclerosis,SSc),又名sjogren's综合症,是一种以局限性或弥漫性皮肤及内脏器官结缔组织纤维化或硬化,最后发展至萎缩为特点的疾病.根据受累范围、程度、病程分为局限性SSc和弥漫性SSc两类,累及的内脏器官为肺脏、食管,患者常死于肺部感染、肾衰竭、心力衰竭等.     

Immunological identification of rat tissue kallikrein cDNA and characterization of the kallikrein gene family

A tissue kallikrein cDNA was identified by direct immunological screening with affinity-purified anti-rat tissue kallikrein antibody from a rat submandibular cDNA library constructed with the expression vector pUC8. Sequence analysis of the kallikrein cDNA revealed an encoded protein 97% homologous to the partial amino acid sequence of rat submandibular kallikrein. This cDNA was used to hybrid-select kallikrein-specific RNA from submandibular gland. Translation of the hybrid-selected RNA in a cell-free assay system resulted in the production of a 37 kDa peptide representing the preproenzyme. In addition, hybrid-selection of RNA under less stringent conditions showed cross-hybridization with other submandibular gland mRNA species. In correlation with these results, analysis of rat genomic DNA showed extensive hybridization, suggesting a family of closely related kallikrein-like genes. Consequently, a Charon 4A rat genomic library was screened for kallikrein genes by hybridization with rat tissue kallikrein cDNA. Thirty-four clones were isolated and found to be highly homologous by hybridization and restriction enzymes analyses. Fourteen unique clones were identified by restriction enzyme site polymorphisms within DNA segments which hybridized to the kallikrein cDNA probe and it was estimated that at least 17 different kallikrein-like genes are present in the rat. Sequence and structural analysis of one of the genomic clones revealed a gene structure similar to that of other serine proteinases. Comparison of the partially sequenced exon regions of the gene with the sequence of rat tissue kallikrein cDNA reveals 89% identity when aligned for the greatest homology. However, the genomic sequence predicts termination codons in all three translational reading frames, implying that this gene is nonfunctional, i.e., a pseudogene. Comparison of the rat genomic sequence to a kallikrein-like gene from the mouse reveals extensive preservation of exons, less identity within introns and no significant homology between extragenic regions.