Gene expression profiling in maize roots under aluminum stress

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of Al toxicity, cross-species cDNA array approach was employed to identify expressed sequence tags (ESTs) regulated by Al stress in root tips of Al-tolerant maize (Zea mays) genotype Cat100-6 and Al-sensitive genotype S1587-17. Due to the high degree of conservation observed between sugarcane and maize, we have analyzed the expression profiling of maize genes using 2 304 sugarcane (ESTs) obtained from different libraries. We have identified 85 ESTs in Al stressed maize root tips with significantly altered expression. Among the up-regulated ESTs, we have found genes encoding previously identified proteins induced by Al stress, such as phenyl ammonia-lyase, chitinase, Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitor, and wali7. In addition, several novel genes up-and downregulated by Al stress were identified in both genotypes.     

Comparative expression profiles of maize genes from a water stress-specific cDNA macroarray in response to high-salinity, cold or abscisic acid

cDNA macroarray has become a useful tool to analyze expression profiles and compare the similarities and differences of various expression patterns. We have prepared a cDNA macroarray containing 190 maize expressed sequence tags (ESTs) specifically induced by water stress to analyze the expression profiles of maize seedlings under abscisic acid (ABA) treatment, high-salinity and cold stress conditions. The results indicated that 48 ESTs in leaves and 111 ESTs in roots were significantly up-regulated by ABA treatment, 36 ESTs in leaves and 41 ESTs in roots by high-salinity stress, 14 ESTs in leaves and 18 ESTs in roots by cold induction, whereas 22 ESTs were induced under all 3 stresses. Results from the hierarchical cluster analysis suggest that the leaves and roots of maize seedlings had different expression profiles after these stresses. The overlap analysis of different stress-induced ESTs indicated that there is more crosstalk between water stress and ABA and high-salinity stress than between water stress and cold stress. It will be helpful to study the precise function of the corresponding overlapping-induced genes for understanding the relationship and crosstalk between different stress signal pathways.     

Identification and characterization of high temperature stress responsive genes in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and their regulation at various stages of development

To elucidate the effect of high temperature, wheat plants (Triticum aestivum cv. CPAN 1676) were given heat shock at 37 and 42°C for 2 h, and responsive genes were identified through PCR-Select Subtraction technology. Four subtractive cDNA libraries, including three forward and one reverse subtraction, were constructed from three different developmental stages. A total of 5,500 ESTs were generated and 3,516 high quality ESTs submitted to Genbank. More than one-third of the ESTs generated fall in unknown/no hit category upon homology search through BLAST analysis. Differential expression was confirmed by cDNA macroarray and by northern/RT-PCR analysis. Expression analysis of wheat plants subjected to high temperature stress, after 1 and 4 days of recovery, showed fast recovery in seedling tissue. However, even after 4 days, recovery was negligible in the developing seed tissue after 2 h of heat stress. Ten selected genes were analyzed in further detail including one unknown protein and a new heat shock factor, by quantitative real-time PCR in an array of 35 different wheat tissues representing major developmental stages as well as different abiotic stresses. Tissue specificity was examined along with cross talk with other abiotic stresses and putative signalling molecules.     

cDNA(EST)文库的高通量生物信息学分析体系的构建与应用

应用生物信息学方法,构建了一套针对cDNA或EST文库的高通量、自动化分析体系,CLASP(cDNA Library Analysis SystemPrimary)。CLASP基于Linux操作系统,主要由Perl程序构成。它以cDNA文库(ESTs)序列为分析对象,具有自动查找序列同源基因并进行染色体定位(包括细胞遗传学定位和SIS定位)、EST自动延伸等功能;并对不同来源序列进行聚类分析。应用该体系对3对肺癌相关抑制性消减杂交(SSH)cDNA文库进行了分析。结果在所有3对文库的2083条EST中有1492条找到了同源基因,其中1365条得到染色体定位。对所余591条未知基因的EST进行了电子延伸,其中有214条EST得到不同程度的延伸。对上述cDNA文库中已知基因的EST以及电子延伸后的EST再分别进行聚类分析,而后综合两个聚类分析的结果,由此可发现不同文库间的共同与差异表达基因,可用于特定性状相关的基因功能预测。     

cDNA macroarray analysis of gene expression in synoviocytes stimulated with TNFalpha

Gene expression of synoviocytes stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) was studied by macroarray analysis to elucidate the cellular response and identify new biological functions of known and unknown genes. 10035 cDNA clones were used to make cDNA macroarrays of representative genes. Synoviocytes expressed large amounts of fibronectin and collagen mRNA. Statistical analysis of the macroarray data revealed 26 genes, including six new genes, which underwent significant alteration of gene expression in response to TNFalpha stimulation. These findings suggest that the synoviocyte response to TNFalpha stimulation forms the basis of development of various aspects of the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis.     

Genes expressed in sugarcane maturing internodal tissue

To explore gene expression during sugarcane culm maturation, we performed a partial sequence analysis of random clones from maturing culm total and subtracted cDNA libraries. Database comparisons revealed that of the 337 cDNA sequences analysed, 167 showed sequence homology to gene products in the protein databases, while 111 matched uncharacterised plant expressed sequence tags (ESTs) only. The remaining cDNAs showed no database match and could represent novel genes. The majority of ESTs corresponded to a variety of genes associated with general cellular metabolism. ESTs homologous to various stress response genes were also well represented. Analysis of ESTs from the subtracted library identified genes that may be preferentially expressed during culm maturation. This research has provided a framework for functional gene analysis in sugarcane sucrose-accumulating tissues.     

Identification of biotic and abiotic stress up-regulated ESTs in Gossypium arboreum

Asiatic desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum) shows great potential against biotic and abiotic stresses. The stress resistant nature makes it a best source for the identification of biotic and abiotic stress resistant genes. As in many plants same set of genes show responding behavior against the various abiotic and biotic stresses. Thus in the present study the ESTs from the G. arboreum drought stressed leaves were subjected to find the up-regulated ESTs in abiotic and biotic stresses through homology and in-silico analysis. A cDNA library has been constructed from the drought stressed G. arboreum plant. 778 clones were randomly picked and sequenced. All these sequences were subjected to in-silico identification of biotic and abiotic up-regulated ESTs. Total 39 abiotic and biotic up-regulated ESTs were identified. The results were further validated by real-time PCR; by randomly selection of ten ESTs. These findings will help to develop stress resistant crop varieties for better yield and growth performance under stresses.     

Nylon Filter Arrays Reveal Differential Expression of Expressed Sequence Tags in Wheat Roots Under Aluminum Stress

To enrich differentially expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for aluminum (Al) tolerance, cDNA subtraction libraries were generated from Al-stressed roots of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) nearisogenic lines (NILs) contrasting in Al-tolerance gene(s) from the Al-tolerant cultivar Atlas 66, using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Expression patterns of the ESTs were investigated with nylon filter arrays containing 614 cDNA clones from the subtraction library. Gene expression profiles from macroarray analysis indicated that 25 ESTs were upregulated in the tolerant NIL in response to Al stress. The result from Northern analysis of selected upregulated ESTs was similar to that from macroarray analysis. These highly expressed ESTs showed high homology with genes involved in signal transduction, oxidative stress alleviation, membrane structure, Mg2 transportation, and other functions. Under Al stress, the Al-tolerant NIL may possess altered structure or function of the cell wall, plasma membrane, and mitochondrion. The wheat response to Al stress may involve complicated defense-related signaling and metabolic pathways.The present experiment did not detect any induced or activated genes involved in the synthesis of malate and other organic acids in wheat under Al-stress.     

Differential sRNA Regulation in Leaves and Roots of Sugarcane under Water Depletion

Plants have developed multiple regulatory mechanisms to respond and adapt to stress. Drought stress is one of the major constraints to agricultural productivity worldwide and recent reports have highlighted the importance of plant sRNA in the response and adaptation to water availability. In order to increase our understanding of the roles of sRNA in response to water depletion, cultivars of sugarcane were submitted to treatment of ceasing drip irrigation for 24 hours. Deep sequencing analysis was carried out to identify the sRNA regulated in leaves and roots of sugarcane cultivars with different drought sensitivities. The pool of sRNA selected allowed the analysis of different sRNA classes (miRNA and siRNA). Twenty-eight and 36 families of conserved miRNA were identified in leaf and root libraries, respectively. Dynamic regulation of miRNA was observed and the expression profiles of eight miRNA were verified in leaf samples from three biological replicates by stem-loop qRT-PCR assay using the cultivars: SP90–1638 - sensitive cultivar- and; SP83–2847 and SP83–5073 - tolerant cultivars. Altered miRNA regulation was correlated with changes in mRNA levels of specific targets. Two leaf libraries from individual sugarcane cultivars with contrasting drought-tolerance properties were also analyzed. An enrichment of 22-nt sRNA species was observed in leaf libraries. 22-nt miRNA triggered siRNA production by cleavage of their targets in response to water depletion. A number of genes of the sRNA biogenesis pathway were down-regulated in tolerant genotypes and up-regulated in sensitive in response to water depletion treatment. Our analysis contributes to increase the knowledge on the roles of sRNA in sugarcane submitted to water depletion.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Physcomitrella patens</Emphasis> is highly tolerant against drought,salt and osmotic stress

In order to determine the degree of tolerance of the moss Physcomitrella patens to different abiotic stress conditions, we examined its tolerance against salt, osmotic and dehydration stress. Compared to other plants like Arabidopsis thaliana, P. patens exhibits a high degree of abiotic stress tolerance, making it a valuable source for the identification of genes effecting the stress adaptation. Plants that had been treated with NaCl tolerated concentrations up to 350 mM. Treatments with sorbitol revealed that plants are able to survive concentrations up to 500 mM. Furthermore, plants that had lost 92% water on a fresh-weight basis were able to recover successfully. For molecular analyses, a P. patens expressed sequence tag (EST) database was searched for cDNA sequences showing homology to stress-associated genes of seed plants and bacteria. 45 novel P. patens genes were identified and subjected to cDNA macroarray analyses to define their expression pattern in response to water deficit. Among the selected cDNAs, we were able to identify a set of genes that is specifically up-regulated upon dehydration. These genes encode proteins exerting their function in maintaining the integrity of the plant cell as well as proteins that are known to be members of signaling networks. The identified genes will serve as molecular markers and potential targets for future functional analyses.     

Nylon Filter Arrays Reveal Differential Expression of Expressed Sequence Tags in Wheat Roots Under Aluminum Stress

To enrich differentially expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for aluminum (A1) tolerance, cDNA subtraction libraries were generated from Al-stressed roots of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) nearisogenic lines (NILs) contrasting in Al-tolerance gene(s) from the Al-tolerant cultivar Atlas 66, using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Expression patterns of the ESTs were investigated with nylon filter arrays containing 614 cDNA clones from the subtraction library. Gene expression profiles from macroarray analysis indicated that 25 ESTs were upregulated in the tolerant NIL in response to A1 stress. The result from Northern analysis of selected upregulated ESTs was similar to that from macroarray analysis. These highly expressed ESTs showed high homology with genes involved in signal transduction, oxidative stress alleviation, membrane structure, Mg^2 transportation, and other functions. Under A1 stress, the Al-tolerant NIL may possess altered structure or function of the cell wall, plasma membrane, and mitochondrion. The wheat response to A1 stress may involve complicated defense-related signaling and metabolic pathways. The present experiment did not detect any induced or activated genes involved in the synthesis of malate and other organic acids in wheat under Al-stress.