大豆GolS基因家族鉴定及盐旱胁迫下的表达分析

肌醇半乳糖苷合成酶（galactinol synthase,GolS）是棉子糖家族寡糖（raffinose family oligosaccharides,RFOs）生物合成途径中的关键酶,在植物对非生物胁迫的反应中发挥重要作用。然而,关于大豆（Glycine max）GolS基因家族成员的分子结构特征还未见研究报道。本研究在全基因组水平上鉴定了6个大豆GolS基因家族成员,并对其理化性质、染色体定位、进化关系、基因结构、保守基序、二级结构、三级结构、组织特异性表达模式以及盐和干旱胁迫下的表达量进行了分析。结果表明：6个大豆GolS基因不均匀地分布在4条染色体上,6个大豆GolS蛋白的等电点为5.45-6.08,分子量变化范围为37 567.07-38 817.59 Da,氨基酸数量为324-339 aa;亚细胞定位预测结果发现4个蛋白定位在叶绿体上,2个蛋白定位在细胞质。系统进化树分析表明,大豆GolS基因家族成员在进化树中呈现出两两紧邻的现象,在进化上较为保守。6个基因成员含有的外显子数目为3或4。二级结构和三级结构预测表明,该家族所有成员蛋白质的空间结构主要由α螺旋和无规则卷曲结构组成,有较少的β转角结构和延伸链结构。组织特异性表达分析表明,6个GmGolS家族成员在种子、根、根毛、花、茎、豆荚、根瘤和叶中均有不同程度表达。基于qRT-PCR的表达分析显示,盐旱处理后所有GmGolS基因成员表现出不同程度的上调表达,表明这些基因可能与植物的耐盐抗旱响应有关。本研究结果为后续开展大豆GolS基因的功能解析奠定了基础。     

蓖麻RcACA基因家族鉴定及非生物胁迫下表达模式分析

自抑制Ca^(2+)-ATPase酶(auto-inhibited Ca2+-ATPase,ACA)作为Ca2+-ATPase的亚家族之一,在植物细胞内维持Ca2+浓度平衡发挥着重要的作用。为探究蓖麻(Ricinus communis)RcACA基因家族的功能及基因表达模式,文中采用生物信息学手段鉴定蓖麻RcACA基因家族成员,预测分析了其基础的理化性质、亚细胞位置、蛋白的二级和三级结构、保守域、保守基序、基因结构、染色体位置及共线关系、进化特征、启动子顺式作用元件,并通过蓖麻转录组数据中的表达量(fragments per kilobase of exon model per million mapped fragments,FPKM)分析RcACA基因在非生物胁迫下的表达模式。结果表明,在蓖麻中共鉴定到8个RcACA基因家族成员,均是酸性蛋白且定位在细胞质膜;所有蛋白的二级和三级结构中α-螺旋和不规则卷曲较多;RcACA基因被聚为3类,同一类别中基因的结构与保守基序相似;均有典型的4个结构域RcACA3–RcACA8,还有1个Ca^(2+)-ATPase N端自抑制结构域(N-terminal autoinhibitory domain);RcACA基因多位于染色体长臂,拥有2对共线关系。RcACA基因编码区上游拥有较多的光响应作用元件,激素诱导类作用元件较少。种间聚类显示ACA基因在物种间的进化是保守的。组织表达模式分析显示,RcACA基因拥有明显的组织表达特异性,且多数基因在雄花中表达量最高;非生物胁迫表达分析表明,RcACA2–RcACA8在高盐和干旱胁迫下均上调表达,RcACA1在低温胁迫的0–24 h上调表达,表明RcACA基因积极地响应非生物胁迫。上述结果为探究RcACA基因在蓖麻生长发育和逆境胁迫中的作用提供了理论参考。     

Genome-wide analysis of poplar VQ gene family and expression profiling under PEG,NaCl, and SA treatments

The past research has demonstrated that the VQ genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Vitis vinifera L play vital roles in their growth, development, and stress responses. So far, no information available describes the functions of the VQ genes in Populus trichocarpa. In our study, comprehensive analysis of poplar VQ genes were performed including genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression analysis under polyethylene glycerol (PEG), NaCl, and salicylic acid (SA) treatment. Fifty-one VQ genes were identified and classified into seven subfamilies (I–VII), distributed randomly on 17 of the 19 chromosomes in poplar. Moreover, these VQ genes expanded primarily due to segmental duplication. In addition, gene structure and protein motif analysis indicated that these genes were relatively conserved within each subfamily; especially 39 of the 51 VQ genes had no introns. The results of quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that the VQ genes were variously expressed under different stresses. Our study provides a comprehensive overview of poplar VQ genes, which will be beneficial to the molecular breeding of poplar to promote its resistance to environment stresses, as well as overall thorough research about VQ gene functions.     

AP2/EREBP transcription factors are part of gene regulatory networks and integrate metabolic, hormonal and environmental signals in stress acclimation and retrograde signalling

Growth of five aeroterrestrial green algal strains (Trebouxiophyceae) in response to changing water availabilities—caused by osmotic (ionic) and matric (desiccation) stresses—was investigated in comparison with a freshwater and a marine strain. All investigated algae displayed good growth under brackish conditions while four out of the five aeroterrestrial strains even grew well under full marine conditions (28–40 psu). The comparison between growth responses in liquid medium, on solid agarose, and on glass fiber filters at 100% air humidity indicated a broad growth tolerance of aeroterrestrial algae towards diminished water availability. While two aeroterrestrial strains even grew better on solid medium which mimics natural biofilm conditions, the aquatic strains showed significant growth inhibition under matric stress. Except Stichococcus sp., which contained the C6-polyol sorbitol, all other aeroterrestrial green algae investigated synthesized and accumulated the C5-polyol ribitol in response to osmotic stress. Using ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and HPLC, it could be verified that ribitol functions as an osmotically regulated organic solute. This is the first proof of ribitol in free-living aeroterrestrial green algae. The biochemical capability to synthesize polyols under environmental stress conditions seems to support algal life outside aquatic habitats.     

CCCH-type zinc finger family in maize: genome-wide identification, classification and expression profiling under abscisic acid and drought treatments

Background

CCCH-type zinc finger proteins comprise a large protein family. Increasing evidence suggests that members of this family are RNA-binding proteins with regulatory functions in mRNA processing. Compared with those in animals, functions of CCCH-type zinc finger proteins involved in plant growth and development are poorly understood.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we performed a genome-wide survey of CCCH-type zinc finger genes in maize (Zea mays L.) by describing the gene structure, phylogenetic relationships and chromosomal location of each family member. Promoter sequences and expression profiles of putative stress-responsive members were also investigated. A total of 68 CCCH genes (ZmC3H1-68) were identified in maize and divided into seven groups by phylogenetic analysis. These 68 genes were found to be unevenly distributed on 10 chromosomes with 15 segmental duplication events, suggesting that segmental duplication played a major role in expansion of the maize CCCH family. The Ka/Ks ratios suggested that the duplicated genes of the CCCH family mainly experienced purifying selection with limited functional divergence after duplication events. Twelve maize CCCH genes grouped with other known stress-responsive genes from Arabidopsis were found to contain putative stress-responsive cis-elements in their promoter regions. Seven of these genes chosen for further quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed differential expression patterns among five representative maize tissues and over time in response to abscisic acid and drought treatments.

Conclusions

The results presented in this study provide basic information on maize CCCH proteins and form the foundation for future functional studies of these proteins, especially for those members of which may play important roles in response to abiotic stresses.     

Genome-wide identification,characterization, and expression analysis of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeats gene family under environmental stresses in tea (Camellia sinensis)

Plants often use nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeats (NLRs) to recognize specific virulence proteins and activate the hypersensitive response thereby defending against invaders. However, data on NLRs and the resistance mechanism of NLR protein mediation in tea plant are extremely limited. In this study, 400 and 303 CsNLRs were identified from the genomes of C. sinensis var. sinensis (CSS) and C. sinensis var. assamica (CSA), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the numbers in CNL groups are predominant in both CSS and CSA. RNA-Seq revealed that the expression of CsNLRs is induced by Colletotrichum fructicola, cold, drought, salt stress and exogenous methyl jasmonate. The 21 CsCNLs that are highly expressed in tea plant under biotic and abiotic stresses as well as during bud dormancy and in different tissues are identified. Gene structure analysis revealed several cis-regulatory elements associated with phytohormones and light responsiveness in the promoter regions of these 21 CsCNLs.     

甜菜BvHAK基因家族全基因组鉴定及其在盐处理下的表达分析

高亲和性K⁺转运蛋白（high-affinity K⁺ transporter,HAK）是植物中最重要的K⁺转运蛋白家族之一,在植物K⁺吸收和转运过程中发挥重要功能。为探究甜菜BvHAK基因家族成员生物学功能及基因表达模式,采用生物信息学手段,预测了蛋白质的理化性质、基因结构、染色体定位、系统进化、保守基序、三维结构、互作网络、启动子顺式作用元件,并通过qRT-PCR分析了盐胁迫下BvHAKs基因在甜菜不同组织中的表达水平。共鉴定出10个甜菜BvHAK基因家族成员,含有8-10个外显子、7-9个内含子;平均氨基酸个数为778.30,平均分子量为88.31 kDa,等电点为5.38-9.41,跨膜区为11-14个。BvHAK4、-5、-7和-13定位在质膜,而其余定位在液泡膜。系统进化分析发现,高等植物HAK可分为5个簇,分别为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ簇,其中Ⅱ簇成员可进一步分为Ⅱa、Ⅱb和Ⅱc等3个亚簇;BvHAK家族成员则分布在前4簇,分别含有1、6、1和2个成员。甜菜BvHAK基因家族主要含有胁迫响应元件、激素响应元件和生长发育响应元件。进一步对BvHAK基因在盐处理下甜菜不同组织中的表达模式分析发现,50和100 mmol/L NaCl不同程度地诱导甜菜地上部和根部BvHAK基因家族成员的表达;高盐（150 mmol/L）则下调了其在地上部的表达水平。这些结果表明,BvHAK基因家族在响应盐胁迫过程中起重要作用。     

Comparative genomic analysis of the Sm gene family in rice and maize

Sm proteins are a group of ubiquitous ring-shaped oligomers that function in multiple aspects of RNA metabolism. However, until this study, no comprehensive study incorporating phylogeny, chromosomal location, gene organization, adaptive evolution, expression profiling and functional networks has been reported for rice and maize. In this study, twenty-five and thirty-three Sm genes have been identified in rice and maize, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses identified eighteen gene groups. Results by gene locations indicated that segmental duplication contributes to the expansion of this gene family in rice and maize. Gene organization and motif compositions of the Sm members are highly conserved in each group, indicative of their functional conservation. Expression profiles have provided insights into the possible functional divergence among members of the Sm gene family. Adaptive evolution analyses suggested that purifying selection was the main force driving Sm evolution, but some critical sites might be responsible for functional divergence. In addition, four hundred and seventy-nine interactions were identified by functional network analyses, and most of which were associated with binding, cellular macromolecule biosynthesis, pre-mRNA processing and transferase activity. Overall, the data contribute to a better understanding of the complexity of Sm gene family in rice and maize and will provide a solid foundation for future functional studies.     

Ammonium transporter 1 (AMT1) gene family in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.): Bioinformatics,physiological and expression analyses under drought and salt stresses

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plants, and mainly taken from the soil as ammonium (NH⁺⁴). It is particularly transported into the plants by AMmonium Transporters (AMTs), which are plasma membrane proteins. In the present study, genome-wide identification, physiological and expression analyses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) ammonium transporters 1 (SlAMT1) genes under drought and salt stresses were performed. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of variations in SlAMT1s at nucleotide and protein levels. While all the SlAMT1s comprise an ammonium transporter domain (PF00909), the numbers of their transmembrane helices were found to be diverse. Digital expression analyses proved that SlAMT1–3 gene had different expression patterns compared to the others, suggesting its functional diversities. The expression analyses revealed that SlAMT1 genes were 0.16 and 5.94 -fold down-regulated under drought and salt stresses, respectively. The results suggested that expression of SlAMT1 genes were adversely affected by abiotic stress conditions.