Cloning and Expressing of a Gene Encoding Cytosolic Copper/Zinc Superoxide Dismutase in the Upland Cotton

In this study, a gene encoding a superoxide dismutase （SOD） was cloned from senescent leaves of cotton （Gossypium hirsutum）, and its expressing profile was analyzed. The gene was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends （RACE） method. Northern blotting was used to show the profile of the gene expression, and the enzyme activity was mensurated by NBT deoxidization method in different growth periods. The full length of a gene of cytosolic copper/zinc superoxide dismutase （Cu/Zn-SOD） was isolated from cotton （GenBank Accession Number： DQ445093）. The sequence of cDNA contained 682 bp, the opening reading frame 456 bp, and encoded polypeptide 152 amino acids with the predicted molecular mass of 15.03 kD and theoretical pI of 6.09. The amino acid sequence was similar with the other plants from 82 to 87%. Southern blotting showed that the gene had different number of copies in different cotton species. Northern blotting suggested that the gene had different expression in different tissues and development stages. The enzyme activity was the highest in peak flowering stage. The cotton cytosolic （Cu/Zn-SOD） had lower copies in the upland cotton. The copper/zinc superoxide dismutase mRNA expressing level showed regular changing in the whole development stages; it was lower in the former stages, higher in latter stages and the highest at the peak flowering stage. The curve of the copper/zinc superoxide dismutase mRNA expressing level was consistent with that of the Cu/Zn-SOD enzyme activity. The copper/zinc superoxide dismutase mRNA expressing levels of different organs showed that the gene was higher in the root, leaf, and lower in the flower.     

Isolation and Expression Analysis of Two Genes Encoding Cinnamate 4-Hydroxylase from Cotton （Gossypium hirsutum）

Two genes （GhC4H1 and GhC4H2） that encode putative cotton cinnamate 4-hydroxylases that catalyze the second step in the phenylpropanoid pathway were isolated from developing cotton fibers. GhC4H1 and GhC4H2 each contain open reading frames of 1 518 base pairs （bp） in length and both encode proteins consisting of 505 amino acid residues. They are 90.89% identical to each other at the amino acid sequence level and belong to class I of plant C4Hs. GhC4H1 and GhC4H2 genomic DNA are 2 247 and 2 161 bp long, respectively, and contain two introns located at conserved positions relative to the coding sequence. GhC4HI and GhC4H2 promoters were isolated and found to contain many cis-elements （boxes P, L and AC-1 element） previously identified in the promoters of other phenylpropanoid pathway genes. Histochemical staining showed GUS expression driven by the GhC4H1 and GhC4H2 promoters in ovules and fibers tissues. GhC4H1 and GhC4H2 were also widely expressed in other cotton tissues. GhC4H2 expression reached its highest level during the elongation stage of fiber development, whereas GhC4H1 expression increased during the secondary wall development period in cotton fibers. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the biochemical role of GhC4H1 and GhC4H2 in cotton fiber development.     

Differential Gene Expression Between Hybrids and Their Parents During the Four Crucial Stages of Cotton Growth and Development

The study aims to clarify the differential gene expression between cotton hybrids and their parents in order to better understand the molecular basis of cotton heterosis. The research focused on cotton heterotic and lower heterotic hybrids and their parents during the four crucial stages, which were analyzed using a differential display technique. The results indicated that there were both quantitative and qualitative differences in gene expression amongst them. The quantitative differences include over- and under-expression of parental genes and the dominant expression of highly-expressed parental genes in hybrids. In contrast, the qualitative differences are the following： （i） Bands were observed in both parents but not in the F1 hybrid （BPnF1）; （ii） bands occurred in either of the parents but not in the F1 hybrid （UPnF1）; （iii） bands presented only in the F1 hybrid but not in either of the parents （UF1nP）; and （iv） bands were detected in either of the parents and the F1 hybrid （UPF1）. Overall, the major differences of gene expression occurred in the qualitative level and four related differential patterns were observed. Furthermore, the amount of differential patterns during the flowering stage was relatively higher than those of other stages. At this juncture, both the amount of hybrid-specific expression patterns at flowering stage and the silenced expression patterns at boll-forming stage in highly heterotic hybrids were found higher than those in the lower heterotic ones. It was concluded that significant differences of gene expression in leaves were present between cotton hybrid and its parents during the whole growing stages. Hence, these differences might be responsible for the observed cotton heterosis.     

Cloning and Expression Analysis of Sucrose Non-fermenting-1 Related Protein Kinase （SnRK） in Cucumis sativus L. Under Low Nitrogen Conditions

The sucrose non-fermenting-1 related protein kinase（SnRK）, whose expression is induced by kinds of hyperosmotic stresses, plays a key role in improving stress resistance of plants. In order to investigate the molecular mechanism of low nitrogen resistance in cucumber, the full-length cDNA of SnRK gene was cloned in this study. The result showed that SnRK gene was 1 548 bp in length, encoded 515 amino acids, and had more than 80% homology with other crops. The protein encoded by this gene was an unstable and hydrophilic protein with no transmembrane structure and no signal peptide. Under nitrogen-free conditions and low nitrogen conditions, the expression pattern analysis of SnRK gene showed that this gene was up-regulated and its expression increased and was significantly higher than the normal level as the nitrogen concentration decreased. In addition, the expression of SnRK gene was also inhibited in the high nitrogen level and was significantly lower than the normal level. The result of this study would help us understand the molecular mechanism of low nitrogen resistance in cucumber.     

Molecular Cloning, and Characterization of an Adenylyl Cyclase-Associated Protein from Gossypium arboreum L.

The aim of this study was to clone CAP （adenylyl cyclase-associated protein） gene from Gossypium arboreum L. and develop a platform for expressing and purifying CAP protein, which is a base for the construction and function researches of CAP. In this work, a CAP homolog from cotton （DPL971） ovule was identified and cloned. And the cDNA sequence consisted of an open reading frame of 1 416 nucleotides encoding a protein of 471 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 50.6 kDa. To gain insight on the CAP role in cotton fiber development, the cloned CAP cDNA was expressed. A significant higher yield pure protein was obtained with the chromatographic method. Further experiments showed that the purified protein can bind with the actin in vitro indicating that the recombinant cotton CAP is functional. The procedure described here produced high yield pure protein through one chromatographic step, suitable for further structure-function studies.     

棉花WD40基因的克隆及生物信息学分析(英文)

A pair of PCR primers was designed based on the conserved sequences of WD40 family gene of different varieties.The normolization library was screened by PCR methods,the cDNA insert size of positive clones were analyzed by PCR method.A full-length cDNA of WD40(GenBank accession number:EU219610)in cotton was obtained from sequencing.This gene is 1 796 bp in length,containing an open reading frame encoding 274 amino acids and a stop codon from 35th to 860th position.The bioinformatics characterization indicates that the protein is encoded by WD40 domain.pI and molecular weight of the protein encoded were predicted to be 4.24 and 29 kDa,respectively.The yielded gene was accondingly named as GDRP1.RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of GDRP1 varied during the gland formation process.These results will be helpful for our further study on the gland formation of cotton.     

Cloning of TaCYP707A 1 Gene that Encodes ABA 8′-Hydroxylase in Common Wheat（Triticum aestivum L.）

The plant hormone abscisic acid （ABA） regulates many important physiological and developmental processes in plants. The objective of this study was to clone the ABA 8′-hydroxylase gene in common wheat. In the present study, we used the eDNA sequence of barley HvCYP707A1 gene （GenBank accession no. AB239299） as a probe for BLAST search against the common wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） EST database in GenBank. All wheat ESTs sharing high similarity with the reference gene were subjected to contig assembly. Primers were designed based on the constructed contigs to clone the wheat CYP707A1 gene, designated as TaCYP707A1. The genomic DNA sequence of TaCYPTO7A1 gene comprised five exons and four introns, with a size of 2225 bp. The corresponding cDNA sequence of TaCYP707A1 was 1737 bp, containing an open reading frame （ORF） of 1431 bp, a 42-bp 5′-untranslated region （UTR） and a 264-bp 3′UTR, with 94.9% of identical sequences to HvCYP707A1 gene （AB239299）. The neighbor joining tree indicated that the deduced amino acid sequences of TaCYP707A1 gene was highly similar to those of barley and rice. The TaCYP707A1 gene was located on chromosome 6BL using a set of Chinese Spring nullisomic-tetrasomic lines and ditelosomic line 6BS. These results will be of high importance in understanding of molecular mechanism of ABA catabolism.     

棉花油菜素类固醇合成酶基因GhDWF1的克隆和表达分析

 【目的】研究油菜素类固醇物质（BRs）在棉花纤维生长发育过程中的作用。【方法】通过棉花EST序列的筛选和整合，从陆地棉徐州142纤维中克隆了一个BRs合成酶基因GhDWF1。【结果】其cDNA序列全长1 849 bp，包含一个1 692 bp的开放阅读框，推导编码563个氨基酸，与水稻、玉米、豌豆、番茄和拟南芥的BRs合成酶DWARF1/DIMINUTO有较高的同源性，具有该类蛋白的典型结构。GhDWF1基因在开花当天的胚珠和纤维中表达最强，在根、幼茎和纤维发育的各个时期表达较高。与徐州142野生型相比，无绒无絮突变体胚珠中表达量较低。【结论】暗示GhDWF1基因的表达与棉花纤维的生长发育有密切关系。     

Molecular Identification and Expression Analysis of GhHYDRA 1 Gene,a Homologue of HYDRA1 Gene From Upland Cotton （Gossypium hirsutum L.）

Beside as precursors of BRs biosynthesis,more and more evidences supposed that phytosterols play an important role in plant growth and development.To investigate the effects of phytosterols on the fiber development of upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)and the molecular base of sterol regulating cotton fiber growth,a homologue of HYDRA1 was cloned from upland cotton(cv.Xuzhou 142)by screening cotton fiber EST database and contigging the candidate ESTs.The GhHYDRA1 encoded a polypeptide of 218 amino acid residues and the deduced amino acid sequences had high homology with the members of HYDRA1 in Populus trichocarpa,Solanum tuberosum,and Arabidopsis thaliana.Moreover,GhHYDRA1 had comparable transmembrane regions to AtHYDRA1 in sequence,length,order,and spacing,except for a C-terminal polylysine cluster.Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that the higher expression levels of GhHYDRA1 gene were detected in 6 to 12 DPA(days post anthesis)fibers,while the lower levels were observed in 0 DPA ovule(with fibers)and 16 to 18 DPA fibers.These results indicated that GhHYDRA1 is the homologue of HYDRA1 gene and plays a crucial role in fiber elongation.Furthermore,auxin and BL up-regulated the expression level of GhHYDRA1 while ABA and KT down-regulated the expression level of GhHYDRA1 in cotton ovule and fiber growth.The result suggested that phytosterols play a role in the interaction of plant hormones.     

荧光实时定量PCR研究GA负调控因子基因在棉花纤维不同发育时期的表达模式

棉花纤维发育经历起始期、延伸期、次级细胞壁加厚期、脱水期共4个发育时期。为了了解GA负调控因子基因在整个纤维发育时期的调节作用,采用敏感的实时定量PCR对GA负调控因子基因Gh RGL在棉花纤维不同发育时期中的转录水平进行了定量研究,通过提取来源于不同纤维发育阶段[包括-3~0 DPA(开花后)胚珠,3 DPA胚珠,5 DPA胚珠,10 DPA胚珠,15 DPA纤维,25 DPA纤维]的样品总RNA,探讨不同发育时期Gh RGL基因的表达模式。结果显示,Gh RGL基因在所有被选的样品中都有表达,其中在5 DPA胚珠和10 DPA胚珠中转录水平较高,在10 DPA胚珠中表达水平最高,在-3~0 DPA胚珠、3 DPA胚珠、15 DPA纤维、25 DPA纤维中的表达水平较低,表明Gh RGL基因在纤维伸长期表达水平较高,暗示Gh RGL可能对纤维伸长起着重要作用。     

陆地棉Ghuhrf1基因及其启动子的克隆与功能分析

在分子育种过程中，优良基因和组织特异表达启动子的缺乏是制约棉花纤维品质改良的重要因素之一。分析转录组数据库中差异基因表达谱发现，Ghuhrf1为开花当天胚珠优势表达基因，推测该基因可能参与或调控棉纤维的合成。根据其EST序列设计引物，通过RACE技术获得Ghuhrf1基因的全长cDNA序列。荧光定量PCR分析表明，Ghuhrf1在开花当天的胚珠中显著表达。通过同源序列分析获得Ghuhrf1的上游启动子Ghuhrf1 Pro。Ghuhrf1 Pro全长为1 417 bp，含有GC box、CAAT box、CAT box、CCGTCC box和ACGT motif等顺式作用元件和组织特异性调控元件。根据组织特异性调控元件的分布位置构建了4个不同程度的缺失体转化烟草和拟南芥进行分析。GUS组织化学染色结果表明，全长启动子Pro和缺失体Pro1（-1 180～+226 bp）、Pro2(-867～+226 bp)、Pro3(-726～+226 bp)都能特异地驱动Gus基因在转基因拟南芥的叶片边缘尖部和莲座叶基部等分化生长旺盛部位表达，说明与分生组织表达相关的CAT box元件和CCGTCC box元件在启动子种子特异表达中起到重要的作用。同时，通过启动子缺失分析也表明，Ghuhrf1基因可能不是直接参与棉纤维的合成，而是间接的参与棉纤维原始细胞分化起始的调控。该结果为棉花纤维品质基因Ghuhrf1的功能研究提供了参考，并为棉花分子育种工程提供了新的调控元件。     

棉纤维特异表达蓝铜蛋白基因(GhBCP1)的克隆与鉴定

【目的】对从棉纤维细胞分离获得的基因GhBCP1进行序列和表达分析,初步分析其功能。【方法】采用mRNA荧光差异显示结合cDNA末端快速扩增技术克隆基因全长cDNA序列,用生物信息学方法对获得的cDNA序列及推定氨基酸序列进行分析,并用荧光实时定量PCR法研究基因在不同组织中的表达。【结果】克隆了一个棉纤维特异表达基因的全长cDNA,命名为GhBCP1(GenBank登录号:EF222282),该cDNA全长721bp,含有一个编码176个氨基酸蛋白的开放阅读框。BLAST分析表明该基因所编码产物为一个蓝铜蛋白。Southern杂交分析表明该基因在陆地棉(Gossypium hirsytum L.)中有2个拷贝。实时荧光定量PCR分析发现该基因在棉花纤维细胞特异表达,在纤维发育过程中,GhBCP1转录产物的累积主要发生在纤维细胞发育由伸长向次生壁合成转换阶段。【结论】GhBCP1基因的组织特异性和发育阶段性表达初步证明该基因的功能可能与次生壁合成的起始密切相关。     

棉纤维起始分化期基因枪介导的GhSuSy表达分析

蔗糖合酶(sucrose synthase)通过调节植物糖代谢介导棉纤维的起始和发育。为进一步研究棉纤维起始分化过程中蔗糖合酶的转录调控机制,克隆了GhSuSy基因5'端上游2 000 bp的启动子片段,构建了含LUC荧光报告基因的重组载体,采用基因枪瞬时转化技术,把重组载体DNA分别转化到棉花叶片和花瓣,比较分析了不同载体膜压力、不同轰击距离与孵育时间等条件下的荧光素酶(luciferase,LUC)活性。用优化后的条件检测了棉纤维起始分化期蔗糖合酶基因GhSuSy偶联的LUC在叶片和花瓣中的活性,并与GhSuSy表达、蔗糖合酶活性比较分析。结果显示:-0.09 MPa真空度下,可裂膜压力设为6.80 MPa,载体膜距离叶片7 cm,轰击2次转化效率最高,转化后样品孵育16 h左右LUC荧光信号最强;与叶片中LUC表达相比,花瓣中LUC荧光信号强、活性高,特别是开花当天(0 d)和开花后1 d(1 DPA)差异明显;在纤维起始分化的开花前3 d(-3 DPA)到开花后3 d(3 DPA),叶片和花瓣中LUC活性先升高后降低,在0和1 DPA的LUC活性最高,这一结果与GhSuSy的定量分析、蔗糖合酶活性检测结果趋于一致,同时纤维起始时期胚珠中GhSuSy的表达和蔗糖合酶活性也显著升高。这些结果暗示GhSuSy基因或编码的蔗糖合酶在0和1 DPA可能调控了棉纤维的起始和分化,表明基因枪介导的瞬时转化系统可用于进一步的GhSuSy基因启动子转录调控分析。     

棉花GhGT-2转录因子的克隆及其功能分析

【目的】棉花是重要的纤维作物,其生长常遭受非生物逆境危害,严重影响棉花的生长和产量。Trihelix转录因子在植物抵御各种逆境胁迫中扮演重要作用。克隆棉花Trihelix转录因子基因并分析其表达特性和功能,为最终利用转基因手段改良棉花抗逆性奠定基础。【方法】通过BLAST分析比对,从棉花EST数据库中获得1个高度同源基因,通过基因序列分析,发现其属于Trihelix转录因子GT-2亚家族,命名为GhGT-2。以棉花叶片总RNA为模板,根据EST序列设计引物,利用RT-PCR结合RACE技术,获得GhGT-2的编码序列。使用MEGA5对蛋白序列及其同源序列进行多序列比对分析,并构建同源物种间系统进化树,通过SMART网站（http://smart.embl- heidelberg.de/）进行蛋白结构预测。以陆地棉品种新陆早26号为研究材料,在棉花15 d苗龄时（一对真叶期）,分别对其植株进行非生物胁迫和ABA处理0、1、3、6和12 h,然后采集相应时段棉苗叶片。另外采集同一品种棉花的不同发育时期的根、茎、叶、花、开花后当天胚珠以及开花后12 d（12 days post anthesis,DPA）纤维等不同组织样品,利用实时荧光定量PCR方法分析GhGT-2在棉花不同组织间的表达差异及其在低温、干旱、高盐和ABA处理下的表达模式。将GhGT-2克隆至GFP表达载体pBI221,和GAL4 DNA结合结构域载体,在拟南芥原生质体中验证GhGT-2在细胞内的定位情况和转录激活活性。利用凝胶迁移试验（EMSA）检测DNA结合元件。【结果】克隆了棉花GhGT-2的cDNA全长序列。该基因cDNA全长1 579 bp,开放阅读框为1 428 bp,编码475个氨基酸的蛋白,推导编码蛋白质的分子量为54.07 kD,等电点为8.96。SMART蛋白结构预测发现,该蛋白含有2个Trihelix家族典型的SANT蛋白结合域。系统进化树分析表明,GhGT-2属于Trihelix转录因子GT-2亚家族,与拟南芥AtGTL1、白杨PtaGTL1 GT2-Box、GT3-Box、GT-1b（BoxⅡ）和MYB元件MBS1、MRE1、MRE3、MRE4亲缘关系最近。实时荧光定量PCR表明,GhGT-2在棉花的根、茎、叶、花、开花后当天胚珠以及开花后12 d（12 DPA）纤维中均有表达,其中,在叶中表达量最高,在根中表达量最低。在冷胁迫下,GhGT-2除在3 h时表达量接近0 h外,在1、6和12 h的表达量均低于0 h,呈现抑制表达特征。在高盐、干旱和ABA处理3种胁迫下,GhGT-2在1 h的表达量均低于0 h,但3、6和12 h的表达量均高于0 h,表现为先抑制后上调表达特征。推测该基因可能参与棉花ABA信号通路中对逆境胁迫的抗性反应。利用拟南芥原生质体分析,GhGT-2主要定位于细胞核中,转录激活活性不明显。凝胶阻滞（EMSA）分析发现,GhGT-2可以结合GT元件。【结论】获得棉花GhGT-2的全长cDNA序列,其编码蛋白含有2个SANT蛋白结合域,属于棉花Trihelix转录因子GT-2亚家族。在干旱、高盐和ABA逆境胁迫下,GhGT-2属于依赖于ABA胁迫响应基因调控网络,推测GhGT-2在陆地棉的非生物胁迫适应过程中可能具有重要的作用。     

棉花GhSPS1的克隆及表达模式分析

【目的】克隆棉花蔗糖磷酸合成酶基因（sucrose-phosphate synthase,SPS）,并分析该基因在组织和纤维发育不同阶段及不同非生物胁迫下的表达模式。【方法】采用genome-walking及over-lap PCR方法,获得了棉花中一个蔗糖磷酸合成酶基因--GhSPS1,通过半定量PCR法检测GhSPS1在不同非生物胁迫条件下的表达模式,采用实时荧光定量PCR法对GhSPS1及GhSUS3、GhINV、GhCESA4进行组织和纤维发育特异性表达分析。【结果】克隆得到的GhSPS1全长4 545 bp,包含10个内含子、11个外显子,其开放读码框为3 108 bp,编码1 035个氨基酸,且该基因在ABA、低温处理条件下表达量增加,在高温胁迫下,表达量先升高后降低。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,GhSPS1及GhSUS3在各种组织中都有表达,其中,在0 DAF、3 DAF的胚珠及18 DAF的纤维中表达量最高,而GhINV、GhCESA4则分别在3-15 DAF的纤维、18 DAF的纤维中表达量最高。【结论】克隆得到的GhSPS1属于SPSA基因家族,能参与ABA、低温、高温等非生物胁迫应答,且可能在纤维发育的起始期及次生壁增厚初期发挥作用。     

棉花GhPME1和GhPME2基因的克隆及表达分析

本研究旨在对棉花来源的果胶甲酯酶基因进行克隆和功能分析。通过RACE技术克隆了2个棉花果胶甲酯酶基因的cDNA,命名为GhPME1和GhPME2。序列分析发现:GhPME1和GhPME2的最大开放阅读框分别为1 704和1 752bp,分别编码含有567和582个氨基酸的蛋白质。蛋白质结构预测显示这2个蛋白结构相似,包含PMEI和Pectinesterase结构域。RT-PCR和实时荧光定量PCR结果显示在陆地棉的纤维发育过程中,GhPME1和GhPME2的表达峰值分别在9和4DPA(开花后天数),然后依次降低。而在海岛棉纤维中,这2个基因的表达均呈现逐渐上升的趋势,表达峰值分别出现在开花后24和29DPA。GhPME1和GhPME2在海岛棉和陆地棉棉纤维中的表达差异初步证明该基因家族的功能可能与棉纤维品质相关。