甜荞柠檬酸转运蛋白基因FeFRD3的克隆及表达分析

该研究采用同源克隆策略,从甜荞中克隆到1个柠檬酸转运蛋白基因FeFRD3(GenBank登录号为MG462907)。FeFRD3基因含一个1 554bp开放阅读框,编码517个氨基酸,预测蛋白分子量为55.83kD,等电点为8.48。生物信息学分析显示,FeFRD3蛋白含有8个跨膜区,定位于质膜和液泡膜上。蛋白序列分析结果表明,FeFRD3与拟南芥、大豆和水稻的FRD3同源蛋白有较高的序列一致性。系统进化树分析表明,FeFRD3属于具有将铁由根向地上部位长距离转运功能的柠檬酸转运蛋白,且与拟南芥AtFRD3亲缘关系最近。qRT-PCR分析结果表明,FeFRD3基因在甜荞根、茎、叶和种子中均有表达,但在根中的表达量最高,在种子中的表达量最低;缺铁胁迫没有影响FeFRD3基因在根中的表达,但高铁胁迫明显诱导了该基因在根中的表达。研究结果为进一步深入研究FeFRD3基因在甜荞铁长距离转运中的功能奠定了基础。     

水稻NHX1基因启动子和C末端的调控功能研究

为了解水稻Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白(OsNHX1)在植物应答非生物胁迫中的分子调控机制,采用RT-PCR方法克隆OsNHX1基因上游2 000bp的启动子序列,并通过基因枪轰击瞬时转化洋葱表皮细胞,检测不同非生物胁迫下启动子的活性和表达模式;同时,分别克隆全长和C末端缺失的OsNHX1基因,通过花序浸染法转化拟南芥,研究OsNHX1基因及其C末端的功能。结果显示:OsNHX1启动子受逆境胁迫诱导,在盐、干旱、脱落酸胁迫处理下GUS表达活性明显升高;过表达OsNHX1的转基因拟南芥中,种子萌发率、根长、丙二醛含量和相对含水量的测定结果均显示其胁迫耐受性得到改善,但过表达OsNHX1C末端缺失基因对转基因植株的胁迫耐受性无明显影响。研究表明,Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白有助于提高植物耐盐性,且其C末端区域对该转运蛋白活性的发挥具有关键作用。     

棉花磷脂酶C基因的克隆及参与油脂代谢的功能分析

以陆地棉胚珠和纤维为实验材料,利用RT-PCR技术克隆得到磷脂酶C(Phospholipase C,PLC)基因(GhPLC,GenBank登录号:KR154219),将棉花磷脂酶C基因转化拟南芥,分析其在油脂代谢过程中的重要作用。测序鉴定显示,GhPLC基因的全长开放读码框为1 524bp,编码包含508个氨基酸的蛋白质,理论分子量约为55kD。序列比对分析显示,GhPLC属于典型的碱性磷酸酶超家族的磷脂酶。利用pET32a-GhPLC原核表达获得分子量约为55kD左右的重组蛋白GhPLC;酶活力分析显示,重组GhPLC蛋白具有较高的将卵磷脂(PC)催化为二酰甘油(DAG)的酶活力。半定量RT-PCR结果表明,GhPLC基因参与棉花种子和纤维发育过程。构建植物过量表达载体35S∷GhPLC并转化哥伦比亚野生型拟南芥,转基因拟南芥中GhPLC基因的表达和PLC酶活力显著提高,且转基因拟南芥种子的油脂含量提高了5.3%。     

拟南芥甲基结合蛋白基因AtMBP11启动子在种子形成和萌发中的功能鉴定

为研究拟南芥甲基结合蛋白基因AtMBP11在种子形成和萌发过程中的调控模式,克隆拟南芥AtMBP11启动子,将其替换植物表达载体pBI121的35S启动子序列,转入拟南芥基因组中.转基因拟南芥后代卡那霉素抗性发生分离,选取具有3∶1分离比的后代自交,产生纯合的具有单拷贝插入的后代.转基因后代GUS染色结果表明,新克隆的MBP启动子控制基因在种子、花药和花粉中高效表达.通过对AtMBP11核心启动子缺失分析表明,G-box元件是主要功能元件.     

水稻受盐抑制基因OsZFP1的转基因分析

OsZFP1(水稻锌指蛋白1)基因编码的蛋白含有3个推测的Cys2/Cys2-型锌指结构域,它的表达受盐胁迫负调控。构建了以35S为启动子的OsZFP1基因的植物表达载体,并将其转入拟南芥(ArabidopsisthalianaL.)植物和水稻(OryzasativaL.)愈伤组织中以过量表达OsZFP1基因。转基因的拟南芥植株和水稻愈伤组织对盐处理的敏感性都比野生型要高。这一结果表明OsZFP1基因可能编码一种负调控蛋白,它可能抑制某些盐诱导基因的表达。在ABA处理下,转基因拟南芥植株比野生型植株抽苔晚,说明OsZFP1基因的作用可能受ABA调节。     

拟南芥AtVQ29基因的克隆与植物表达载体构建

目的:VQ模序蛋白是植物中所特有的一类具有高度保守序列的蛋白质,广泛参与植物的生长发育与逆境反应,本研究拟克隆拟南芥的AtVQ29基因并进一步构建由组成型启动子CaMV 35S驱动的植物表达载体pSN1301-AtVQ29。方法:采用CTAB法提取拟南芥基因组DNA,根据已报道的AtVQ29基因序列设计并合成引物,通过PCR技术扩增获得拟南芥AtVQ29基因,经T载体克隆后测序。利用生物信息学软件对序列进行初步分析,同时基于基因重组技术构建植物表达载体。结果:序列分析表明已成功克隆AtVQ29基因,该基因编码区全长为372bp,共编码123个氨基酸残基,具有保守的VQ模序。并进一步构建了由组成型启动子CaMV 35S驱动的AtVQ29基因植物表达载体pSN1301-AtVQ29。结论:本研究所构建的AtVQ29基因植物表达载体能够在转基因植株中过量表达AtVQ29基因,为后期开展基因功能研究与植物基因改良奠定了基础。     

小拟南芥ApZFP基因异源超表达促进拟南芥开花并提高耐逆性

锌指蛋白(ZFP)是一类重要的转录因子, 广泛参与植物的生长发育和非生物胁迫应答。新疆小拟南芥(Arabidopsispumila)又名无苞芥, 是十字花科短命植物, 具有高光效、繁殖力强和适应干旱等生物学特征, 而且比模式植物拟南芥(A.thaliana)更耐高盐胁迫。将前期克隆的小拟南芥锌指蛋白基因ApZFP通过花滴法转化到哥伦比亚生态型拟南芥(Col-0)中,获得了独立表达的转基因株系。表型观察发现, 过量表达ApZFP基因可促使拟南芥在长短日照下均提前开花。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示, 转基因拟南芥株系中, 光周期途径中的CO基因和年龄途径中的SPL基因表达上调; 春化、环境温度和自主途径中的FLC基因表达下调; 编码成花素的基因FT及下游开花相关基因AP1和LFY的表达量均升高。进一步通过盐、干旱和ABA胁迫处理ApZFP转基因株系的种子和幼苗, 发现在胁迫处理下, 与对照相比, 转基因拟南芥种子萌发率较高, 幼苗主根较长。因此推测, ApZFP在植物发育过程中具有多种功能, 可能既参与植物的开花转变过程, 又同其它植物的锌指蛋白基因一样, 参与植物的耐逆过程。     

水稻受盐抑制基因OsZFP1的转基因分析

OsZFP1(水稻锌指蛋白1)基因编码的蛋白含有3个推测的Cys2/Cys2-型锌指结构域,它的表达受盐胁迫负调控.构建了以35S为启动子的OsZFP1基因的植物表达载体,并将其转入拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana L.)植物和水稻(Oryza sativa L.)愈伤组织中以过量表达OsZFP1基因.转基因的拟南芥植株和水稻愈伤组织对盐处理的敏感性都比野生型要高.这一结果表明OsZFP1基因可能编码一种负调控蛋白,它可能抑制某些盐诱导基因的表达.在ABA处理下,转基因拟南芥植株比野生型植株抽苔晚,说明OsZFP1基因的作用可能受ABA调节.     

小麦磷酸丙糖转运器cDNA的克隆及其基因表达分析

利用RT_PCR方法以及RACE(rapidamplificationofcDNAends)策略 ,从小麦 (TriticumaestivumL .)幼苗叶片中克隆了编码磷酸丙糖转运器 (TPT)的全长cDNA。序列分析结果表明 ,小麦TPTcDNA编码 40 2个氨基酸的前体蛋白 ,其中信号肽含有 78个氨基酸。成熟蛋白部分与玉米 (ZeamaysL .)TPT有很高的同源性 (89% )。推测小麦TPT成熟蛋白有 8个跨膜区 ,形成双亲α_螺旋的跨膜结构。位于第 7个跨膜区的Arg_2 74和Lys_2 75可能是底物结合位点。比较TPT基因在小麦幼苗的根、胚芽鞘、叶片和种子中的表达差异表明 :TPT基因在叶片、胚芽鞘中均有表达 ,但在胚芽鞘中的表达量较低 ,在种子和根中未见有表达。由此看来 ,小麦TPT的基因可能只局限在绿色组织中表达。还就C3 和C4植物TPT不同的底物特异性问题进行了讨论     

陆地棉GhPYR1基因的克隆和功能分析

植物激素脱落酸(Abscisic acid,ABA)在植物应对干旱、盐碱等逆境胁迫以及植物种子萌发、根伸长、芽休眠等阶段发挥重要作用。PYR/PYL/RCAR蛋白家族是ABA受体,与ABA结合后能够启动ABA信号传导通路,诱导ABA应答基因的表达。利用电子克隆和RT-PCR技术从陆地棉中克隆了Gh PYR1基因,其编码的Gh PYR1蛋白与拟南芥中At PYR1蛋白相似度为73%。将Gh PYR1蛋白序列与拟南芥14个PYR/PYL/RCAR家族成员蛋白序列进行比对并构建进化树,发现它与拟南芥PYR/PYL/RCAR蛋白亚家族III亲缘关系最近。过表达Gh PYR1基因的T3代拟南芥在外源ABA处理下,其种子萌发和初期根生长均滞后于野生型,表现出对ABA更加敏感;高盐和干旱胁迫对转基因种子的萌发抑制更强烈,但苗期胁迫处理下转基因拟南芥的长势却明显优于野生型;同时在外源ABA诱导条件下ABA应答基因RD29A、RAB18的表达量较野生型有明显提高。以上结果说明Gh PYR1基因编码的蛋白是ABA的受体,过表达该基因能够提高植物对ABA的敏感性和增强应对逆境胁迫的能力。     

拟南芥AtUNE12基因的耐盐功能初探

bHLH转录因子家族成员在植物生长发育、生理代谢及非生物胁迫响应过程中起重要作用。本研究选取拟南芥抗逆相关bHLH转录因子家族中AtUNE12基因为研究对象,对其进行耐盐功能初探。首先构建AtUNE12基因的植物过表达载体（pROKⅡ-AtUNE12）,通过农杆菌介导的浸花法转化拟南芥,利用qRT-PCR技术检测获得T₃代AtUNE12过表达转基因植株。在盐胁迫下,分析过表达AtUNE12与野生型拟南芥长势、根长及鲜重;比较过表达AtUNE12与野生型植株的电解质渗透率、失水率、MDA含量、POD与SOD活性及H₂O₂含量,鉴定AtUNE12基因是否具有耐盐能力。结果表明：过表达AtUNE12基因降低了拟南芥植株的失水率、电解质渗透率及MDA含量,保护细胞膜结构的完整性;增强了POD与SOD活性,降低了拟南芥植株内的H₂O₂含量,进而增强拟南芥植株的ROS清除能力,从而提高拟南芥的耐盐能力。     

The ubiquitin E3 ligase LOSS OF GDU2 is required for GLUTAMINE DUMPER1-induced amino acid secretion in Arabidopsis

Amino acids serve as transport forms for organic nitrogen in the plant, and multiple transport steps are involved in cellular import and export. While the nature of the export mechanism is unknown, overexpression of GLUTAMINE DUMPER1 (GDU1) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) led to increased amino acid export. To gain insight into GDU1's role, we searched for ethyl-methanesulfonate suppressor mutants and performed yeast-two-hybrid screens. Both methods uncovered the same gene, LOSS OF GDU2 (LOG2), which encodes a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase. The interaction between LOG2 and GDU1 was confirmed by glutathione S-transferase pull-down, in vitro ubiquitination, and in planta coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Confocal microscopy and subcellular fractionation indicated that LOG2 and GDU1 both localized to membranes and were enriched at the plasma membrane. LOG2 expression overlapped with GDU1 in the xylem and phloem tissues of Arabidopsis. The GDU1 protein encoded by the previously characterized intragenic suppressor mutant log1-1, with an arginine in place of a conserved glycine, failed to interact in the multiple assays, suggesting that the Gdu1D phenotype requires the interaction of GDU1 with LOG2. This hypothesis was supported by suppression of the Gdu1D phenotype after reduction of LOG2 expression using either artificial microRNAs or a LOG2 T-DNA insertion. Altogether, in accordance with the emerging bulk of data showing membrane protein regulation via ubiquitination, these data suggest that the interaction of GDU1 and the ubiquitin ligase LOG2 plays a significant role in the regulation of amino acid export from plant cells.     

Functional characterization of PaLAX1, a putative auxin permease, in heterologous plant systems

We have isolated the cDNA of the gene PaLAX1 from a wild cherry tree (Prunus avium). The gene and its product are highly similar in sequences to both the cDNAs and the corresponding protein products of AUX/LAX-type genes, coding for putative auxin influx carriers. We have prepared and characterized transformed Nicotiana tabacum and Arabidopsis thaliana plants carrying the gene PaLAX1. We have proved that constitutive overexpression of PaLAX1 is accompanied by changes in the content and distribution of free indole-3-acetic acid, the major endogenous auxin. The increase in free indole-3-acetic acid content in transgenic plants resulted in various phenotype changes, typical for the auxin-overproducing plants. The uptake of synthetic auxin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, was 3 times higher in transgenic lines compared to the wild-type lines and the treatment with the auxin uptake inhibitor 1-naphthoxyacetic acid reverted the changes caused by the expression of PaLAX1. Moreover, the agravitropic response could be restored by expression of PaLAX1 in the mutant aux1 plants, which are deficient in auxin influx carrier activity. Based on our data, we have concluded that the product of the gene PaLAX1 promotes the uptake of auxin into cells, and, as a putative auxin influx carrier, it affects the content and distribution of free endogenous auxin in transgenic plants.     

Overexpression of mitochondrial citrate synthase in Arabidopsis thaliana improved growth on a phosphorus-limited soil

The gene for mitochondrial citrate synthase (CS) was isolated from Daucus carota (DcCS) and introduced into Arabidopsis thaliana (strain WS) using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Characteristics of citrate excretion were compared between T3 transgenic plants, which were derived from the initial transgenic plants by self-fertilization and homozygous for DcCS, and the control plants that had no DcCS. The highest CS activity 0.78 micromol protein min(-1) exhibited by the transgenic plants was about threefold greater than that found in the control plants (0.23-0.28 micromol protein min(-1)). Western analysis of the transgenic plants showed two CS signals corresponding to signals obtained from both D. carota and A. thaliana. Thus, it appears that the CS polypeptides by ectopic expression of DcCS were processed into the mature form and localized in the mitochondria of A. thaliana. The signal corresponding to the mature form of DcCS were greater in the transgenic plants having higher levels of CS activity. When the transgenic plants were grown in Al-phosphate media, a correlation between the levels of CS activity and the amounts of citrate excreted into the medium. The highest value (5.1 nmol per plant) was about 2.5-fold greater than that from control plants (1.9 nmol per plant). Both growth and P accumulation were greater in transgenic plants with high CS activity than that in control plants when they were grown on an acid soil where the availability of phosphate was low due to the formation of Al-phosphate. It appears that the overexpression of CS in A. thaliana improves the growth in phosphorous limited soil as a result of enhanced citrate excretion from the roots.     

Development of visible markers for transgenic plants and their availability for environmental risk assessment

Monitoring of transgenic plants in the field is important, but risk assessment has entailed laborious use of invisible marker genes. Here, we assessed three easily visible marker transgenes--green fluorescent protein (GFP), R, and Nicotiana tabacum homeobox (NTH) 15 genes--for their potential use as marker genes for monitoring genetically modified plants. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants for each of these genes were visibly distinguished from wild-type plants. We determined the germination rate, 3-week fresh weight, time to first flowering, and seed weight of the transgenic plants to evaluate whether the expression of these marker genes affected the growth of the host. Introduction of GFP gene had no effect on the evaluated parameters, and we then used the GFP gene as a marker to assess the outcrossing frequency between transgenic and two Arabidopsis species. Our results showed that the hybridization frequency between transgenic plants and Arabidopsis thaliana was 0.24%, and between transformants and Arabidopsis lyrata it was 2.6% under experimental condition. Out-crossing frequency was decreased by extending the distance between two kinds of plants. Thus, the GFP gene is a useful marker for assessing the whereabouts of transgenes/transformants in the field. We also demonstrated that the GFP gene is possibly applicable as a selection marker in the process of generation of transgenic plants.     

Overexpression of the wheat salt tolerance-related gene TaSC enhances salt tolerance in Arabidopsis

A novel gene named TaSC was cloned from salt-tolerant wheat. Northern blot showed that the expression of TaSC in salt-tolerant wheat was up-regulated after salt stress. Real-time quantitative PCR analyses showed that TaSC expression was induced by salt and ABA in wheat. Localization analysis showed that TaSC proteins were localized to the plasma membrane in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana. The overexpression of TaSC in Col-0 and atsc (SALK_072220) Arabidopsis strains resulted in increased salt tolerance of the transgenic plants. TaSC overexpression in Col-0 and atsc signi?cantly up-regulated the expression of AtFRY1, AtSAD1, and AtCDPK2. AtCDPK2 overexpression in atsc rescued the salt-sensitive phenotype of atsc. The TaSC gene may improve plant salt tolerance by acting via the CDPK pathway.     

Overexpression of AtSGT1, an Arabidopsis salicylic acid glucosyltransferase, leads to increased susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae

We reported previously that a recombinant salicylic acid (SA) glucosyltransferase1 (AtSGT1) from Arabidopsis thaliana catalyzes the formation of both SA 2-O-beta-D-glucoside (SAG) and the glucose ester of SA (SGE). Here, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing AtSGT1 have been constructed, and their phenotypes analyzed. Compared to wild-type plants, transgenic plants showed an increased susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae and reduced the accumulation levels of both free SA and its glucosylated forms (SAG and SGE). On the other hand, the overexpression increased the levels of methyl salicylate (MeSA) and methyl salicylate 2-O-beta-D-glucoside (MeSAG), and also induced SA carboxyl methyltransferase1 (AtBSMT1) expression, whose products catalyze the conversion of SA to MeSA. Our data indicate that reduced resistance by AtSGT1 overexpression results from a reduction in SA content, which is at least in part caused by increases in MeSAG and MeSA levels at the expense of SA. Our study also suggests that genetic manipulation of AtSGT1 can be utilized as an important regulatory tool for pathogen control.