The thioredoxin gene family in rice: genome-wide identification and expression profiling under different biotic and abiotic treatments

Thioredoxin (TRX) is a multi-functional redox protein. Genome-wide survey and expression profiles of different stresses were observed. Conserved amino acid residues and phylogeny construction using the OsTRX conserved domain sequence suggest that the TRX gene family can be classified broadly into six subfamilies in rice. We compared potential gene birth-and-death events in the OsTRX genes. The Ka/Ks ratio is a measure to explore the mechanism and 3 evolutionary stages of the OsTRX genes divergence after duplication. We used 270 TRX genes from monocots and eudicots for synteny analysis. Furthermore, we investigated expression profiles of this gene family under 5 biotic and 3 abiotic stresses. Several genes were differentially expressed with high levels of expression and exhibited subfunctionalization and neofunctionalization after the duplication event response to different stresses, which provides novel reference for the cloning of the most promising candidate genes from OsTRX gene family for further functional analysis.     

Genome-wide analysis and expression profiling of half-size ABC protein subgroup G in rice in response to abiotic stress and phytohormone treatments

The roles of the proteins encoded by half-size adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter subgroup G (ABCG) genes in abiotic stress responses are starting to be established in the dicot model Arabidopsis thaliana. In the monocot model rice, the functions of most half-size ABCG proteins in abiotic stress responses are unknown. Rcn1/OsABCG5 is an essential transporter for growth and development under abiotic stress, but its molecular function remains largely unclear. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of all 30 half-size ABCG genes in rice, including their gene structures, phylogeny, chromosome locations, and conserved motifs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the half-size OsABCG proteins were divided to four classes. All seven rice intronless genes, including Rcn1/OsABCG5, were in Class III, like the 12 intronless ABCG genes of Arabidopsis. The EST and FL-cDNA databases provided expression information for 25 OsABCG genes. Semi-quantitative and quantitative RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that seven OsABCG genes were up-regulated in seedlings, shoots or roots following treatments with abiotic stresses (6, 17, 42?°C, NaCl, or mannitol) and abscisic acid. Another 15 OsABCG genes were up-regulated under at least one of the abiotic stress conditions and other phytohormones besides abscisic acid. Hierarchical clustering analysis of gene expression profiles showed that expression of the OsABCG genes could be classified into four clusters. The Rcn1/OsABCG5 cluster was up-regulated by abscisic acid and included OsABCG2, 3, 13, and 27. The present study will provide a useful reference for further functional analysis of the ABCGs in monocots.     

Genome-wide identification of the class III aminotransferase gene family in rice and expression analysis under abiotic stress

Aminotransferases are pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent enzymes that play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and responses to abiotic stress. The class III aminotransferase family (ATIII family) is an important subfamily. However, no characterization of rice ATIII genes has been previously reported. Using available rice genome sequence information, we identified 12 japonica and 13 indica ATIII genes that were randomly localized on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11. Information provided by the Plant Genome Duplication Database revealed that four japonica and four indica ATIII genes are the results of segmental duplications, and two japonica and six indica genes resulted from tandem duplications. A phylogenetic analysis of the ATIII genes in japonica, indica and Arabidopsis enabled the classification of the genes into six different groups, and the characteristics were established before the monocot-dicot and japonica–indica split. An analysis of the Ka/Ks, divergence time and average indel length suggested the diverse selection styles of the duplicated gene pairs. Gene structure and motif analyses revealed that the ATIII gene family has experienced extensive divergence. Real-time PCR was performed to examine the expression pattern of the japonica ATIII genes in response to various abiotic stresses including drought, salt, and cold. The results suggested that most of the genes were differentially up- or down-regulated in rice seedlings in response to at least one stress factor, which indicates the key role of the rice ATIII gene family in responding to abiotic stresses. These results provide a basis for elucidating the roles of the ATIII genes and their further functional analysis under abiotic stresses.     

Expression of soybean plant hemoglobin gene family under abiotic stresses

Many abiotic stresses induce the generation of nitric oxide (NO) in plant tissues, where it functions as a signal molecule in stress responses. Plants modulate NO by oxidizing it to NO₃⁻ with plant hemoglobin (GLB), because excess NO is toxic to cells. At least eight genes encoding GLB have been identified in soybean, in three clades: GLB1, GLB2, and GLB3. However, it is still unclear which GLB genes are responsible for NO regulation under abiotic stress in soybean. We exposed soybean roots to flooding, salt, and two NO donors—sodium pentacyanonitrosylferrate (III) dihydrate (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d,l-penicillamine (SNAP)—and analyzed expression of GLB genes. GmGLB1, one of two GLB1 genes of soybean, significantly responded to both SNP and SNAP, and its induction was almost completely repressed by a NO scavenger, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide. GmGLB1 responded to flooding but not to salt, suggesting that it is responsible for NO regulation under NO-inducing abiotic stresses such as flooding. GmGLB3, one of two GLB3 genes of soybean, did not respond to NO donors at all but did respond to flooding, at a lower level than GmGLB1. These results suggest that flooding induces not only NO but also unknown factor(s) that induce GmGLB3 gene in soybean.     

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.     

荷花 PIN 基因家族的鉴定及非生物胁迫表达分析

【目的】探究荷花中NnPIN家族成员的特征及在非生物胁迫响应中的作用,为荷花抗逆新品种的选育提供新的基因资源。【方法】采用生物信息学方法对荷花NnPIN家族进行全基因组鉴定,并通过qRT-PCR技术分析了其在低温(4℃)、水淹及外源3 mmol/L脱落酸(ABA)处理下的表达模式。【结果】(1)荷花基因组中共鉴定出12个具跨膜结构域的NnPIN基因,分别命名为NnPIN1～12,且分布在6条染色体上,并主要定位于质膜和内质网;(2)系统进化分析表明,NnPIN蛋白可根据中央亲水环的长度分为经典型和非经典型2种类型,且同一类型具相似结构;经典型具完整的motif 1～12,而非经典型则缺失中央亲水环部分(motif 6,8,9,12);(3)NnPIN基因在启动子区域具有大量光响应、非生物胁迫和激素响应元件,并特异性地具有厌氧、脱落酸(ABA)、低温等响应元件;(4)NnPIN基因(除NnPIN8外)均正向响应外源ABA和低温胁迫,而NnPIN6和NnPIN7正向响应水淹胁迫,NnPIN1、NnPIN2、NnPIN3、NnPIN4、NnPIN5、NnPIN8、NnPIN9和NnPIN12...     

Molecular cloning, phylogenetic analysis, and expression profiling of a grape CMP-sialic acid transporter-like gene induced by phytohormone and abiotic stress

Nucleotide sugars are synthesized in the cytosol and nucleus and transported into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus via nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs). Because NSTs exhibit high similarities with triose phosphate translocators (TPTs), they are classified into the NST/TPT superfamily. Here, we identified 38 members of the NST/TPT family by screening the grapevine genome and proteome 12× database. Vitis vinifera NST/TPT proteins can be classified into two groups on the basis of their phylogenetic relationships. From these, we isolated a full-length cDNA encoding a putative NST and named it VvCSTLP1. VvCSTLP1 comprises 15 exons and 14 introns and exhibits high similarities with OsCSTLP2. A search for cis-regulatory elements in the promoter region of VvCSTLP1 revealed that this protein is probably regulated by phytohormones and abiotic stresses. The VvCSTLP1 cDNA encodes an open reading frame of 1065 bp, and the predicted polypeptide is 354 amino acids long with a molecular mass of 39.11 kDa. Expression of VvCSTLP1 was elevated during early berry development, and dramatically decreased after the initiation of ripening. VvCSTLP1 was highly expressed in old leaves and mature leaves, and at low levels in young leaves, pollen, roots, and tendrils. Finally, VvCSTLP1 expression was induced in response to 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, salicylic acid (SA), and boric acid treatments, but was decreased by drought stress. The regulation of VvCSTLP1 expression led us to conclude that it may play a role in cell wall composition and structure and in the cross-talk between the auxin, SA, and abiotic stress signaling pathways.     

Comprehensive expression analysis of rice phospholipase D gene family during abiotic stresses and development

Phospholipase D is one of the crucial enzymes involved in lipid mediated signaling, triggered during various developmental and physiological processes. Different members of PLD gene family have been known to be induced under different abiotic stresses and during developmental processes in various plant species. In this report, we are presenting a detailed microarray based expression analysis and expression profiles of entire set of PLD genes in rice genome, under three abiotic stresses (salt, cold and drought) and different developmental stages (3-vegetative stages and 11-reproductive stages). Seven and nine PLD genes were identified, which were expressed differentially under abiotic stresses and during reproductive developmental stages, respectively. PLD genes, which were expressed significantly under abiotic stresses exhibited an overlapping expression pattern and were also differentially expressed during developmental stages. Moreover, expression pattern for a set of stress induced genes was validated by real time PCR and it supported the microarray expression data. These findings emphasize the role of PLDs in abiotic stress signaling and development in rice. In addition, expression profiling for duplicated PLD genes revealed a functional divergence between the duplicated genes and signify the role of gene duplication in the evolution of this gene family in rice. This expressional study will provide an important platform in future for the functional characterization of PLDs in crop plants.